Head to head: Fremantle 13 wins, West Coast 18 wins, no draws
Last time: West Coast 10.13 (73) lost to Fremantle 17.9 (111), round six, 2010 at Subiaco Oval
MISSING IN ACTION
Fremantle
Michael Barlow (leg) - season
Kepler Bradley (knee) - test
Ryan Crowley (knee) - 4 weeks
Des Headland (knee) - test
Chris Mayne (ankle) - 1-2 weeks
Rhys Palmer (shoulder) - test
Alex Silvagni (groin) - 3 weeks
Chris Tarrant (heel) - test
West Coast
Sam Butler (foot) - 3-4 weeks
Bradd Dalziell (finger) - 5 weeks
Darren Glass (abdomen) - season
Ash Hansen (hip) - 3-4 weeks
Ashton Hams (suspended) - 3 weeks
Jordan Jones (ankle) 1-2 weeks
Daniel Kerr (hamstring) - season
Mark Nicoski (shoulder) - season
Adam Selwood (AC joint) 1-2 weeks
Luke Shuey (virus) - test
Koby Stevens (AC joint) - test
FORM
Fremantle: WWLWL
West Coast: LLLWL
SUMMARY
It has been a month to forget for Fremantle, losing key midfielder Michael Barlow to a broken leg, dropping games away to Richmond (19 points) and the Western Bulldogs (82) and suffering an almighty scare at home against Melbourne. Captain Matthew Pavlich is playing through an ankle injury, and there have been calls for ruckman Aaron Sandilands to be given a rest. Fortunate timing then for a western derby clash against the Eagles, who remain last on the AFL ladder and have lost the last six times these sides have met. The Eagles looked an improved side against Adelaide in round 15, they beat Essendon by 32 points a week later and had Carlton on the ropes at half time last week. However, their midfield capitulated in the second half, conceding nine unanswered goals to the Blues, and they enter this derby with Dean Cox and his onballers searching for form.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Fremantle played 11 first- or second-year players against the Dogs last Sunday. Nick Suban (24 possessions and five inside 50s) was the pick of them, playing in a new onball role, and he could be part of the midfield solution as Mark Harvey searches for Barlow replacements.
Impressive draftee Brad Sheppard had the quietest game of his debut season against Carlton, finishing with just eight possessions and one mark. With Adam Selwood (AC joint) sidelined this week he may be deployed up the field against Fremantle where his polished foot skills can be used going inside 50.
QUESTION MARKS
Can West Coast break a six-game losing streak in derbies?
Which key ruckman will bounce back from a quiet week and have an influence, Aaron Sandilands or Dean Cox?
Will derby specialist Paul Hasleby be selected? There was speculation the four-time Ross Glendinning Medallist was dropped last week, rather than rested, before he was called on to replace David Mundy.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Fremantle is fielding a young side at the moment, but West Coast’s is younger and its inexperienced players are taking on bigger roles. With Adam Selwood missing, this will become all the more obvious in the midfield, where Fremantle should have a distinct advantage. Chris Tarrant will be back to control the one player who could win this one for the Eagles off his own boot, Mark LeCras.
PREDICTION
Fremantle by 32 points
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The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
