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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’ second minor premiership will have to wait at least another week after they were knocked off by the Demons in one of the games of the season.
Fremantle’s third loss of the season was by only four points and there’s no cause for concern.
The Eagles were presented with a great chance to claim win number five against an injury depleted Collingwood, but they simply had no answers for the brilliance of Nick Daicos in a 19-point defeat.
Fremantle Dockers
What went right? In what was spoken about being a “dress rehearsal” of sorts ahead of
September, the Dockers will take plenty from their second run on the MCG this season.
Coming up against a top-six side who had lost only once at home this year, Fremantle showed the Grand Final venue is a place they won’t fear should they return.
They burst out of the blocks, booting four of the first five goals, kicked more than 100 points and enjoyed the wider expanses of the ground.
What went wrong? The absence of Alex Pearce.
The skipper was rested for the clash, ensuring the 31 year-old could put his feet up and avoid a road trip.
However, in the final quarter, you can’t help but think Pearce’s leadership and ability to impact big moments was missing.
Harry Petty twice converted after contested marks, something you feel Pearce wouldn’t have allowed as they watched a 15-point final-term lead vanish.
Petty then provided Bayley Fritsch for the go-ahead goal after Brennan Cox infringed.
Cox, who was returning after a fortnight out with a knee complaint, wasn’t at his best.
Silver lining: The individual seasons of forward duo Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss reached a
new high on Saturday with both booting their 50th goals.
It’s a major achievement, given it was Matthew Pavlich in 2012 who was the last player in purple to notch a half-century of majors.
They also became just the third pair in Docker history to reach 50 goals in the same season behind Tony Modra (50) and Clive Waterhouse (53) in 2000, and Pavlich (71) and Jeff Farmer (55) in 2006.
Both Amiss and Treacy have been outstanding all year and are key to how far Fremantle can go this year.
West Coast Eagles
What went right? You can see the progress in the Eagles’ ball movement.
A number of times on Sunday, West Coast moved the ball quickly by hand from half-back, counter attacking with great effect to hit the scoreboard.
Tom Gross kicked truly after some neat work in the first term, while Jack Graham’s second-quarter goal finished off some of the better work seen in transition by Andrew McQualter’s men.
West Coast were also made to pay from the daring approach on a few occasions due to skill errors – something which remains a work in progress.
What went wrong? Nick Daicos.
If his first Brownlow Medal wasn’t sealed before the clash, it is now.
Only suspension can stop the midfield superstar after another three-vote performance.
The 23 year-old tallied 39 touches, 12 score involvements, 10 clearances and a goal, leading the Magpies to victory.
His performance was made even more special given the star power missing.
Jordan De Goey, Scott Pendlebury, Jeremy Howe, Pat Lipinski and Harry Perryman all missed the match, while Daicos shook off the Brady Hough tag to be the game’s best player.
Silver lining: Brandon Starcevich’s bone-crunching bump.
West Coast’s pressure and physicality was a highlight with a perfectly executed hit from the dual premiership defender the standout.
The 27-year-old put Ed Allen on his backside in the centre of Optus Stadium, drawing instant praise from the crowd while his teammates loved it.
Allen was just as tough, with the 22-year-old West Aussie bouncing straight back to his feet.
Paddy Sweeney is a Nine News Perth sports presenter and journalist.From our partners
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