Optus Stadium now a Freo fortress as Eagles rue missed opportunities

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 are putting together one of the great seasons.

Leading the league, taming their rivals and playing an intoxicating brand of football which has everyone in the competition taking note.

Their latest victory was almost unbelievable, a goalless first-half before piling on 100 points in the second to dismantle their closest rival, the second-placed Sydney.

As it stands now, the greatest threat to Fremantle’s premiership pursuit is injuries.

West Coast gave the Bulldogs an almighty scare, leading in the final term, but lacked polish at key moments.

The 16-point defeat made it 12 straight losses at Marvel Stadium.

Fremantle Dockers

What went right? Second half.

Fremantle’s ability to cash-in when they have momentum would be making rival sides nervous.

They were put on the back foot by a frenetic and manic Swans in the opening half, who applied pressure usually saved for a final.

But the Dockers remained composed and when they got their chance, they didn’t only take it, they broke Sydney.

Fremantle slammed on seven unanswered final term goals in 15 minutes, killing off the contest in a game which was destined to go to the death.

Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw helped turn the game at the contest.

Josh Treacy imposed himself, Alex Pearce was at his inspiring best thwarting Sydney’s attacks and Shai Bolton and Murphy Reid were equally as damaging forward or on-ball.

What went wrong? First half goal-kicking.

For just the third time in their history, Fremantle were held goalless in an opening half.

They generated plenty of chances but couldn’t convert one of their 11 scoring shots.

It was remarkably similar to their Optus Stadium encounter with Geelong, where on that occasion they booted nine consecutive behinds in another frustrating display.

However, just like their Round 15 clash with the Cats, the Dockers’ maturity to not lose their heads paid off.

Silver lining? The Dockers have turned Optus Stadium into a fortress – arguably the most intimidating venue for opposition teams to play at.

They’re perfect from nine matches at home this season with an average winning margin of almost six goals.

The purple army has never been more invested, Fremantle’s past seven home games have all recorded more than 50 thousand fans.

And with a three and a half game buffer and percentage over the third-placed Hawks, it means the top two is all but sewn up and with it two home finals.

A qualifying final and preliminary final in Perth are on offer.

West Coast Eagles

What went right? West Coast’s pressure.

The Eagles brought the heat, ensuring they were in the contest as a live winning chance until late in the match.

They held the half-time lead on the back of a four-goal second quarter and their scoring efficiency was a highlight.

West Coast scored 14 times from only 19 inside 50s in the opening two terms.

What went wrong? The inability to take their opportunities.

West Coast could have walked away with an upset victory, if not for some missed chances in the final term.

Jake Waterman, Jack Williams and Tom Cole were all wayward on goal from gettable attempts, while Jobe Shanahan spilt a mark in the goalsquare.

At the other end, the Bulldogs kicked four unanswered majors to seal the result.

The positive is the Eagles were creating scoring opportunities, the downside is capitalising on them remains a work in progress.

Silver lining? Ridiculous goals by talented stars.

Both Harley Reid and Willem Duursma delivered remarkable goals, highlighting the reasons why they had their name picked out first in their respective draft years.

Willem Duursma burst clear of a centre square stoppage, using his blistering pace to create space before drilling a beautiful long-range major from outside 50 metres which left commentators in awe.

Similarly, Reid delivered a final-quarter stunner from a very tight angle, gathering the ball and running towards the boundary, before somehow finding the big sticks.