Welcome to the Western Watercooler, where we digest the talking points from the weekend’s games – and the highlights, frustrations and silver linings WA footy fans can cling to as the season progresses.
This week, Fremantle teased fans with what they’re capable of in 2026, taking a fast-tempo brand of footy to Geelong, before ultimately fading out in the second half of the game.
Freo brought the pressure, but their second-half fade-out will stay with them.Credit: Josh Chadwick/Getty Images
Meanwhile, we should check in with West Coast fans, whose TVs were at risk of having the remote hurled through them at half-time on Sunday.
But what were the silver linings from the young Eagles squad, many of whom ran out in blue and gold for the first time?
Fremantle Dockers
What went right? The first quarter.
Fremantle jumped out of the blocks with their fifth-best opening term in club history.
They threatened to score whenever they ventured forward and did so at 12 of their 16 inside 50s, a ridiculous 75 per cent return.
Their pressure and hunt was dialled up, and the Cats felt it.
Also? Luke Jackson.
His evolution into the midfield is beginning to take shape and offers a very attractive point of difference.
Luke Jackson was a standout for the Dockers.Credit: Josh Chadwick/Getty Images
The athletic ruck well and truly won his battle with debutant Mitch Edwards, ending with 27 touches, 10 clearances and a goal.
What went wrong? Leaving the Cattery without the win when establishing a 35-point buffer.
Their second-half fade-out will stay with them for a while.
Sure, the competitive advantage gained by Opening Round teams playing first-up sides didn’t help, but they lacked polish and poise down the stretch and missed opportunities when they presented.
Silver lining? Isiah Dudley.
The 22 year-old may not have been playing just a week ago until Michael Fredrick’s went down with an ankle injury.
The skillful forward again showed he doesn’t need many touches to influence the game, kicking 3.2 and 8 score involvements.
West Coast Eagles
What went right? Milan Murdock.
A little over a fortnight ago, the 25 year-old was working full-time as an electrician. Yesterday, the WAFL star brought the spark to the Eagles line-up.
Bright spark: Milan Murdock celebrates a goal during the Eagles’ loss to Gold Coast on SundayCredit: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos
The mature-aged recruit kicked West Coast’s first major thanks to a brilliant tackle on Mac Andrew, before being gifted his first goal after a brain-fade from the Suns defender, who lost his cool and gave away a 50m penalty.
Also? The second half.
The Eagles were able to put a horror first-half showing behind them to win the second half by three points.
What went wrong? The first half.
Unfortunately for West Coast, their second-half effort was futile with the result well and truly decided at the main break.
The Eagles were put to the sword by a clinical Suns early, made to pay for poor skills and errors.
The margin was 38 at the first change and grew to 62 by the half.
Christian Petracca continued his blistering start to the year booting three goals in the first quarter and could easily have six Brownlow Medal votes after two games.
Silver lining? Deven Robertson.
The off-season acquisition delivered exactly what was expected of him.
A tough, reliable, hard-working midfielder who can impart valuable leadership on the Eagles younger players.
Robertson laid a game-high 12 tackles to be one of the Eagles best on club debut.
Expect more of the same going forward.
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