WHERE AND WHEN: Patersons Stadium, Sunday 24 July, 2.40pm
HEAD TO HEAD: Fremantle 14 wins, West Coast 19 wins, no draws
LAST TIME: West Coast 14.12 (96) d Fremantle 9.9 (63) round 8, 2011 at Patersons Stadium
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
A full replay will be available on afl.com.au 12 hours after the completion of the match
FORM: Fremantle: LWWBW West Coast: WWBWL
SUMMARY
Much has been made of West Coast's season to date, and rightly so - its rise from last place in 2010 to potential top four side one year later has been one of the stories of the year.
The achievements of John Worsfold and his team have overshadowed Fremantle's season in Perth, but the focus may shift after this Sunday's Western Derby, with Fremantle in a position to draw level on points with West Coast if it can notch its 10th win of the season.
After a gutsy 11-point win over the Sydney Swans at the SCG, it is suddenly Fremantle that is being talked about as a potential top four gatecrasher.
And despite the unfortunate loss of classy defender Roger Hayden to a broken leg this week, injuries are no longer an all-consuming concern at Fremantle Oval.
Star stoppage players Aaron Sandilands and David Mundy are closing in on returns but are unlikely this week, with Mark Harvey otherwise fielding the best side he has this year.
It makes for a fascinating Western Derby on Sunday, possibly the most important clash between these rivals since round 21, 2006, when both sides were perched in the top four.
West Coast will this week be looking to rebound from a 21-point loss to St Kilda at Etihad Stadium. The Eagles fell six goals behind in the first quarter before climbing back into a winning position, only to squander that lead in the last term.
It was just their second loss in nine games, and they return to Patersons Stadium this week with an extra day's break on their opponents.
QUESTION MARKS
Can Fremantle break even at the stoppages without Sandilands and Mundy? The Swans edged Freo in clearances 53-40 last week, while West Coast's ruckmen are in dominant form, winning the hit-outs 55-19 against St Kilda. Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui also combined for 13 clearances against the Saints.
Can West Coast string four quarters together? The Eagles had been significantly out-scored in third quarters for a five-week period leading into the Saints clash, but they turned that record around at Etihad Stadium. The problem was they lost the first quarter by six goals and faded in the last. Four quarters will be required in front of a parochial Fremantle crowd.
Which young guns will stand up on the Derby stage? Freo's Nat Fyfe is in All Australian form, while first-year Eagle Andrew Gaff is coming off his best game for the season. They'll be two to watch.
Who will take the points in the battle between Josh Kennedy and Luke McPharlin? Kennedy (three goals and six marks) was more influential in the Eagles' round-eight win, but McPharlin hits this week at the top of his game for Fremantle.
PREDICTION
West Coast by 12 points
TOYOTA AFL DREAM TEAM WATCH
West Coast draftee Andrew Gaff (Mid, $171,300) made his name earlier this season as the 'super sub', coming on late in games and having a major impact. His Dream Team scores naturally suffered in this role, but the No.4 draft pick built form and fitness in the WAFL and played a full game against the Saints in round 17 - his first since round eight - notching a score of 104. Captain Darren Glass has suggested he could stay in the team for the rest of the season, opening the door to more big scoring opportunities for the hard running accumulator.
Follow the game live in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au and join the conversation on Twitter using #aflfreoeagles
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
