FREMANTLE has had enough of losing to West Coast and midfielder Darcy Tucker says it's time the Dockers broke the drought in Western Derby No.50.
With September spots up for grabs, the derby stakes are at their highest since the round 20 encounter four years ago, when the Eagles snapped a six-game losing streak against the League-leaders and held onto second spot.
It was the start of West Coast's eight-game winning run and Tucker, who was drafted with pick 27 later that year, has never tasted victory over the Eagles in six attempts.
"It's definitely time to beat them," Tucker told AFL.com.au.
"We'd love to get up on them, so we'll see how we go."
The Dockers have been closing the gap to West Coast, pushing the Eagles to 13 and eight-point margins in two of the past three meetings.
Fremantle went down by 58 points in the wild round 20 clash last year, with that thrashing completely overshadowed by Andrew Gaff's hit on Andrew Brayshaw.
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The final five contests at Subiaco Oval were convincing West Coast wins by an average of 35 points, and the overall record is in the reigning premiers' favour 29-20.
"We're very confident that if we play our best footy and play the way we want to play that we can get over the line," Tucker said.
"We obviously have to bring that trademark effort and bring a four-quarter performance, because they're a very good team." - Darcy Tucker
The Dockers were bitterly disappointed after squandering a golden opportunity to move a win clear inside the top eight against undermanned Carlton last Sunday, having led by five goals just before quarter-time.
They are now in precarious situation at 7-7, only clinging to eighth spot by percentage ahead of Port Adelaide and Essendon, with surging North Melbourne and Sydney a game further back.
"It's very important where we're sitting on the ladder at the moment to win those games," Tucker said.
"Full credit to them (Carlton), they're a very talented team and we thought they've been really good over the last few weeks.
"It's a bitter blow but we really need to get back on the horse.
"We need to stick to the process and focus on what we can (control) and don't focus on the future."
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After shuffling between a variety of roles in previous campaigns, Tucker has established himself in the engine room and is gearing up for a tough task against West Coast stars Nic Naitanui, Luke Shuey, Andrew Gaff and Elliot Yeo.
The 22-year-old's self-belief is growing and he is averaging career-high disposals (19.6) and clearances (2.1) while being on track to play every game in a season for the first time.
"I'm still trying to improve week by week but I've got a lot more confidence going out there and more confident in my role as well," Tucker said.
"Just trying to play as much consistent footy as I can, hunt around the ball, tackle and release forward and I like to kick a goal every now and then as well (seven this year).
"It's going to be a huge challenge (against West Coast's midfield), but we think we've got some really good midfielders as well.
"We just want to get on top there and it starts with us guys."
