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.
The Dockers were resolute in their 37-point win over the Bulldogs.
They had to navigate a defensively minded opponent who did their very best to stifle and strangle the ladder leaders, but yet again Justin Longmuir and his team maintained their composure and held their nerve.
Meanwhile, the Eagles result was enough to bring young gun Willem Duursma to tears post-game and many fans would have been the same.
If you were a West Coast supporter who paid to go to the MCG, you would have every right to contact the club seeking a refund.
The poor skills and woeful goalkicking meant the Eagles were humbled by Richmond for a second time this season – both when the Tigers were at the bottom of the table.
Fremantle Dockers
What went right? The Dockers were able to secure a crucial piece of the premiership puzzle.
By cementing a top-two finish, two home finals are now in their keeping, meaning if things go to plan, they will only need to travel once in the finals series – for the grand final.
And there’s reason to be confident.
Optus Stadium has been transformed into “Freo’s Fortress” in 2026 – the Dockers have won all 11 games at the venue.
What went wrong? An area which remains a work in progress and where improvement can be made is in contested ball and around stoppage.
The Bulldogs won these key statistics, with Ed Richards and Tom Liberatore setting the tone.
The positive was the Dockers were able to restrict the Dogs damage, even outscoring them from stoppage.
Silver lining? Oscar McDonald.
Should either Alex Pearce or Brennan Cox go down at the business end of the season, McDonald has shown he is a more than capable key defender replacement.
The 30 year-old played just his seventh game for the season on Friday night, but played easily the best he has in a Fremantle jumper.
He intercepted, was calm and used the ball well.
An added bonus is McDonald can also be used forward – booting five goals in his most recent WAFL performance when played in attack.
West Coast Eagles
What went right? The Eagles created enough chances, but couldn’t finish them.
They managed seven more inside-50s, took four more inside-50 marks, more than doubled the Tigers for tackles laid inside 50 and won the clearances.
It only highlights how poor their finishing was.
What went wrong? The inaccurate goalkicking would have been enough to send fans watching, turn the TV off and go outside to catch some winter sunshine.
Time after time, after time, the Eagles blew golden opportunities, some which had to be seen to be believed.
Jake Waterman was the chief offender, booting 2.6, including a miss from two metres out in the goalsquare.
At one stage, West Coast were 3.17 in the third term, finishing with 9.19.
Ill discipline also played it’s part, Rhett Bazzo’s 50-metre penalty for dissent turned a difficult Tom Lynch shot on goal into a formality at a crucial time.
Silver lining? It’s one less away game to play.
The 11-point defeat now has the Eagles with just four wins from their past 51 interstate games – a winning percentage of less than eight.
It’s a damning statistic for any side, but even more so for a team which travels every second week and has been doing so for 40 years.
Paddy Sweeney is a Nine News Perth sports presenter and journalist.From our partners
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
