TV/RADIO/INTERNET: Fox Footy (live), 6PR, afl.com.au
PRESEASON/NIGHT PREMIERSHIPS WON: West Coast - Nil, Fremantle - Nil
LAST YEAR'S PRE-SEASON CUP: West Coast edged Fremantle first-up at Subiaco before crunching Collingwood at Marrara and the Kangaroos in a semi-final back at Subi. The Eagles came to Telstra Dome to take on Carlton in the Grand Final and, after trailing throughout, surged in the final term to snatch the lead before the Blues rallied to triumph by 27 points.
WHO'S IN/WHO'S NOT: West Coast will need to make do without the services of regular first-choice players Chad Fletcher (broken collarbone), Ashley Sampi (shin), David Wirrpanda (knee) and Michael Braun (knee). Youngster Mitch Morton will miss with an adductor strain and forward Brad Smith will miss the entire season after a knee reconstruction. Elevated rookie Jaymie Graham leads the list of 'new' Eagles likely to be given a run in the NAB Cup. Defender Scott Thornton, midfielder Andrew Browne, and Heath Black (calf), and Robert Haddrill (hamstring) are all named on Fremantle's injury list. The club's first selection at last year's NAB AFL Draft, Marcus Drum will be in with a chance of enjoying some game time in the NAB Cup after some handy lead-up form.
WHILE YOU WERE WATCHING THE CRICKET AND THE TENNIS: West Coast and Fremantle's first official pre-season/post-season outing was at the Oval in London where the Dockers prevailed in a willing encounter. Fremantle has since overhauled its support staff, bringing in Mark Harvey and Robert Shaw from Essendon to add a fresh perspective. The new year had been going along relatively smoothly for the Eagles until Ben Cousins decided to step down form the captaincy in a blaze of controversy this week.
WHY TO WATCH: Like all derbies, West Coast-Fremantle clashes are passionate, hard-fought, bitter affairs and bragging rights hinge on every result. It's a pity that Heath Black will be missing because he's one Docker who always seems to get under the Eagles' skin. Aaron Sandilands' battle with Dean Cox will be a highlight - Sandilands was outstanding in the Dockers' intra-club match last week and Cox comes into the new season as the pre-eminent ruckman in the competition.
THE VERDICT: A popular early choice for the 2006 AFL premiership, the Eagles will be keen to get the year away to a winning start to reaffirm the club's credentials. They will be keener still for the simple fact that it's Fremantle they're playing. But Fremantle, after relatively a low-key pre-season so far, will be looking to capitalise on the turmoil in the Eagles camp over Brownlow Medalist Ben Cousins' decision to step down from the captaincy for disciplinary breaches. The Eagles need to keep their minds on the job in the build-up to Sunday's match. With no genuine exposed form coming in, first round NAB Cup matches can be a toss up, but expect the coin to fall Freo's way. Fremantle by 27 points.
