Fremantle have registered their first win of 2025 off the back of a 38-pointwin over cross-town rivals West Coast, as both sides nervously await the fitness of their star key defenders.
Outside of a fast Eagles start in the opening term, it was all purple on Sunday evening at Optus Stadium, with Justin Longmuir’s side winning 15.16 (106) to West Coast’s 10.8 (68).
FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.
In worrying signs for both Jeremy McGovern (groin) and Alex Pearce (leg), the rival defensive duo were seen receiving treatment at the back end of the third term and start of the final quarter. McGovern didn’t return to the ground for the last 35 minutes of the clash, while Fremantle’s skipper surprisingly returned to the field of play.
Justin Longmuir’s side was rocked by a pair of late changes an hour before the bounce, with Jaegar O’Meara (illness) and Corey Wagner (injured) withdrawn for James Aish and Karl Worner. But led by superstar on-baller Caleb Serong with his 35 disposals and 10 clearances, the Dockers proved themselves far too good in the 60th edition of the Western Derby.
No love was lost by any stretch of the imagination between the two Western Australian sides, as tensions boiled over throughout the contest.
A three-goal term from Josh Treacy before half time gave Fremantle a 26-point lead that looked unlikely to be trumped by Andrew McQualter’s side, as they struggled to compete at stoppage and delivering inside forward 50. Treacy’s partner-in-crime Jye Amiss finished the encounter with four majors of his own for the eighth time in his 50-game career.
Emerging star Harley Reid provided Eagles fans with a small spark in the third quarter, leaping high for some mini hang time before converting truly from set shot.
Perhaps the most damning stat for Andrew McQualter to lay his eyes in Monday’s review will be the inside 50 count, which his side lost 37-65. A -15 loss in total clearances also makes for damning reading, as only two Eagles players registered 20 or more disposals.
The Dockers’ win now takes them to within six of West Coast’s total Derby tally, now trailing the overall count 27-33. Additionally, they’ve now won seven of their last eight matches against the cross-town rival.
The 3-2-1… (with Cat Healey from Optus Stadium)
3. CALEB THE DERBY KING
Caleb Serong was already a three-time Glendinning-Allan Medallist for best afield in a Western Derby heading into Sunday’s contest.
And he became a four-time winner hours later.
The Freo midfielder had a 12-disposal opening term to prove the difference early between the two sides.
Eagles coach Andrew McQualter had to pull the trigger in the second and send Jack Graham to the star Docker.
That led to a flashpoint that could land Graham in some hot water after an off-the-ball moment that saw Serong end up on the Optus Stadium turf.
But Graham was able to keep Serong to just five second quarter touches.
Despite McQualter telling Fox Footy he planned to keep Graham in the Serong tag, the Docker broke free in the third to rack up an impressive 11 disposals – taking his clearance game tally to 7 at three quarter time.
The lack of third quarter tag left Schofield and Adam Simpson confused about the Eagles’ plans.
“Why wouldn’t you tag Serong? He’s had six disposals and clearances to start this (third term) after being the most influential at the first half,” Schofield questioned.
“I thought we heard McQualter at half time say that’s what they are doing with Graham.
“The only thing I can think of is you get to half time and you go ‘let’s start again, let’s reset from what we did at the start of the game’.”
But Schofield said it was a wasted effort from the Eagles.
“Caleb Serong, I asked for him to stand up – well he has,” he praised.
“West Coast have paid no attention to him basically. Jack Graham for half a quarter.
“He’s the number one ranked player on the ground … He’s been elite.
“It’s not just West Coast, this is around the AFL we don’t see enough players tagged.
“We saw Serong tagged the last two weeks and he doesn’t impact. Yes, I am surprised (the West Cast tag didn’t last), but not surprised over all because some people just don’t do it.”
Serong finished up with 35 disposals, 10 clearances and five intercepts.
Longmuir ‘really proud’ of bounce back | 10:13
2. DUDLEY DOES IT RIGHT
Isaiah Dudley couldn’t have asked for a better start to his AFL career.
Only two months after officially joining the Dockers in the SSP period in February, Dudley was handed a dream Western Derby debut.
And didn’t he make the most of it?
His first touch was to set up a goal.
His second and third disposals were goals in the space of a few minutes.
“Being one of the best natural footballers that came through the programs before he got drafted,” Matthew Pavlich said.
“It’s taken him a little while to find his way onto an AFL list.”
The brilliance left his family and friends in tears of joy in the stands.
“Have a look at the emotion on the faces (of Dudley’s fans),” Pavlich added.
“This is just brilliant scenes.”
The nephew of Eddie Betts was swamped by teammates after his first goal.
“I watched him come out here – he’s small 168cm,” Will Schofield said.
“Usually with smaller players they are smart. And he is. He gets goal side. He’d be thinking ‘I’m in for a big day here!’.”
After almost ending up at Carlton, Dudley and the Dockers will no doubt be rapt with the debut.
Eagles slump during ‘disappointing day’ | 08:29
1. ALLEN KEY DOESN’T QUITE FIT ON ‘DIRTY DAY’
Eagles captain Oscar Allen isn’t having a great season so far – despite the growing reports of big money offers looming for his services.
The big forward couldn’t get into the contest against rivals Fremantle as he failed to touch the footy in the opening term.
He then managed just one kick in the second to go into the main break with just that one touch to his name.
Former Eagles coach Adam Simpson described Allen as one of the “missing pieces” for West Coast as they fought to stay in the contest.
“The missing pieces for West Coast, probably Harley Reid just elevate his game and Oscar Allen needs to get into the game somehow,” he said on Fox Footy in the second term.
But still Allen couldn’t find his feet.
“Oscar Allen has had a dirty day,” Matthew Pavlich said.
“It’s been a tough day for him.”
“He looks like he’s half a yard off Oscar – he looks like he’s a little sore. But it’s no excuse when you come into a game especially a Derby. You’re ready to go,” Adam Simpson added.
The skipper was then sent into defence with less than two minutes to play in the third after Harry Edwards was subbed off and Jeremy McGovern limped off injured.
Allen’s form is starting to ring alarm bells given he’s managed just three goals from three games this season – and is still averaging just 1.49 goals a game in his 96-game tally.
In his eight seasons in the AFL, Allen has managed more than 50 goals just once (in 2023 after missing the entire 2022 year).
Yet teams are still being urged to go all out to lure Allen away from the Eagles’ nest.
“What do they need? A big forward, clearly. I think West Coast free agent Oscar Allen tops the list because their forward connection has been Simon Goodwin’s biggest Achilles heel,” Jay Clark said on Fox Footy of Melbourne’s wish list.
Fox Footy’s David Zita also reports the Hawks are “up to their eyeballs” in the race to lure Allen away.
While a contract figure is yet to be reported, it’s said to be large enough to trigger a band one compensation pick.
Allen ended up finishing the Derby with just four disposals.
Re-live our digital coverage of West Coast vs Fremantle in our blog below!
Discussion about this post