The 24.16 (160) to 13.7 (85) win rubber stamps Fremantle’s first finals appearance since 2006 and provides a crucial percentage boost as the side jostles for a top-four finish.
Aaron Sandilands (22 possessions and 33 hit-outs) was awarded his second Ross Glendinning Medal after overcoming opponents Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui to give Fremantle a significant midfield advantage with his decisive ruck work.
The game was effectively decided by quarter time, after a withering burst from Fremantle produced seven unanswered goals and a 45-point lead.
From there, despite having star defender Chris Tarrant sidelined with a knee injury, Fremantle extended its lead at every change to record its biggest win of the season and its most comprehensive western-derby triumph.
Tarrant, who had missed Fremantle’s last five matches with a heel injury, injured his left knee at the end of the first quarter after a collision with Andrew Embley.
His absence allowed Mark LeCras to bounce back from a disposal-less first term and kick five goals, but the star Eagle was his side’s sole winner.
Fremantle, on the other hand, had accomplished performers on every line in an incredibly even performance that produced 11 separate goalkickers.
Hayden Ballantyne (six goals and six inside 50s) and captain Matthew Pavlich (four and four) led the side in attack, while clearance specialist David Mundy (25 possessions and a goal) made a superb return to the midfield.
Greg Broughton (31 possessions and five inside 50s) was a revelation in the centre of the ground, while Nat Fyfe played the best game of his impressive debut season moving between the midfield and forward line.
Matt Rosa, Matt Priddis and Andrew Strijk can stand alongside LeCras as players who worked hard all day, but overall it was a performance that confirmed why the last-placed West Coast finds itself in a battle to avoid its first-ever wooden spoon.
The Eagles’ cause was not helped by Shannon Hurn’s absence after the important rebounder was replaced late by Brett Jones.
They face the Brisbane Lions at home next week, while Fremantle travels to tackle North Melbourne as it seeks to build on its top-four claims.
Fremantle 7.6 13.8 18.12 24.16 (160)
West Coast 0.3 4.4 9.5 13.7 (85)
GOALS
Fremantle: Ballantyne 6, Pavlich 4, Hasleby 3, Johnson 2, Bollenhagen 2, Hill 2, Hayden, Mundy, Suban, van Berlo, Crichton
West Coast: LeCras 5, Strijk 2, Rosa 2, Selwood, Naitanui, Embley, Waters
BEST
Fremantle: Broughton, Sandilands, Ballantyne, Mundy, Pavlich, Hill, Fyfe
West Coast: LeCras, Priddis, Rosa, Strijk
INJURIES
Fremantle: Tarrant (knee)
West Coast: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Margetts, McInerney, Keating
Official crowd: 40,451 at Subiaco Oval
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
