SUMMARY
Twelve months ago these two sides sat first and second on the ladder heading into the round 20 Western Derby. A year on and the Dockers can't wait for the end of the season while West Coast is losing ground in the race for the top four. There is still plenty to play for despite the different circumstances. The Eagles must win given their difficult run home to September but the Dockers hate losing to their cross-town rivals and will be very keen to atone for last week's effort against the Swans. A lot of intrigue will surround the ruck duel with both Aaron Sandilands and Nic Naitanui set to return after long layoffs with injury. Naitanui caused Sandilands' serious rib injury in round three but there is unlikely to be bad blood.
Aaron Sandilands and Nic Naitanui are both set to return from injury on Sunday. Picture: AFL Media
WHERE AND WHEN: Domain Stadium, Sunday, August 7, 2.40pm AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R3, 2016, West Coast 12.20 (92) d Fremantle 8.11 (59) at Domain Stadium
R20, 2015, West Coast 15.14 (104) d Fremantle 11.14 (80) at Domain Stadium
R3, 2015, Fremantle 17.9 (111) d West Coast 12.9 (81) at Domain Stadium
R15, 2014, Fremantle 13.10 (88) d West Coast 11.15 (81) at Domain Stadium
R7, 2014, Fremantle 11.7 (73) d West Coast 7.12 (54) at Domain Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. One big advantage the Eagles have over Fremantle is their key forwards. The Eagles are ranked second for marks inside 50 this year and Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling have kicked 97 goals between them.
2. West Coast has won the past two derbies. The Dockers had won the previous seven. The Eagles haven't won three in a row since 2011-12.
3. Despite their inconsistent form the Eagles' defence has been impressive this season, ranked fourth for points conceded with 77 per game. Fremantle is ranked 16th for scoring in 2016.
4. This will be Matthew Pavlich's final derby. No player has played in more derbies from either side. He's played in 33 and has kicked 59 goals, also a derby record.
5. West Coast is the most accurate side in front of goal after 18 rounds kicking 265.192, at 55.2 per cent. Fremantle is ranked 14th for accuracy with 192.182.
6. The Dockers have six players inside the top 70 on the Schick AFL Player Ratings compared to the Eagles' four. But the Dockers' highest-ranked player Nat Fyfe (11) is unavailable for the derby.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Aaron Sandilands.
He has not played since the round three Western Derby when he suffered a nasty rib and lung injury courtesy of a knee from Nic Naitanui in a marking contest. The Dockers desperately need his presence in the ruck.
PREDICTION: West Coast by 20 points
