The Eagles haven't beaten the Dockers in the derby since round nine, 2012 and desperately need the four points to stay in touch with the top eight.
It has been a topsy-turvy 2014 season for the Eagles, who were touted as a potential top-four side during the pre-season.
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But after a 3-0 start to the season, West Coast has been unable to put consistent performances together, leaving the side in 10th place on the ladder with just six wins.
The Eagles have claimed just the one top-eight scalp, beating Gold Coast in round 14. They face a tough challenge against cross-town rivals Fremantle, who currently sit fourth on the ladder and have already beaten the Eagles once this season.
"They're a quality team," Hutchings said.
"I feel like we've matched them in patches in the past but we just need a consistent performance and to implement what we do at training on game day, but for longer periods.
"We want to win every game that we go out to play… of course we'd love to beat them but it's a hard game and both teams want to win. We just need to focus on starting well and come to play. "
The Eagles' win over St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Sunday marked two consecutive victories for the club, a rare feat this season.
Hutchings said he felt as though the side was now starting to build some momentum.
"As a club we want to improve. We feel like over the last couple of weeks we've got some more consistency in our performance," he said.
"We're improving and growing as a group so to come over here, it was a pressure-filled, high intensity game. We handled it well and got over the line so we're happy with the win."
