WEST Coast coach Michael Prior has urged his team to forget about the past as it attempts to break its Western Derby duck against Fremantle on Sunday.

The Dockers have been a dominant force when it comes to AFLW derbies, with Fremantle holding a 5-0 edge over the Eagles.

That unbeaten run was almost brought to an end last year, but Freo was able to hold on for a thrilling three-point win.

The arch rivals will lock horns in their season-opener at Fremantle Oval on Sunday, and Prior has been careful not to focus on the one-sided record.

"Not at all. I don't speak about it at all, because every game we play ... whoever we play, we put out a different team," Prior told reporters on Friday.

"The past is the past. We look forward to the future.

"The team that runs out on the weekend is going to be completely different to last time we played Fremantle.

"We are writing our own story now."

Prior believes the AFLW derby rivalry is just as intense as the AFL version.

And as much as he would savour a derby victory, he wants his players to be equally intense in every game they play this season.

"Everyone wants to put their best foot forward in these (derby) games," Prior said.

"You just hope that whatever the players deliver, it's not over and above the next game.

"We want the same effort when we play Gold Coast in round two.

"In the past, players have got themselves up for these games to play, but we're looking for consistent efforts that are going to give us wins week in, week out."

Forward Amy Franklin moved from the Dockers to West Coast during the off-season.

If she can prove her fitness on the track and be given the green light to play on Sunday, her presence would add extra spice to the match.

Prior is also looking forward to unleashing ruck Lauren Wakfer, who missed her entire debut season due to an ACL tear.

"She's really had a spike in her training in the last six weeks with confidence in her knee," Prior said.

"She's good at ground level, follow up. I think rucks throughout the competition are going to have their hands full when she goes through there."

Fremantle axed coach Trent Cooper at the end of last season after failing to reach the finals.

Former Docker Lisa Webb was appointed Cooper's replacement in February, and she's been tasked with leading the team back into the finals.

Fremantle finished a disappointing 12th last season with just three wins and a draw to its name, while West Coast (2-8) was 16th.