Fremantle crush West Coast by 38 in fiery Derby

Fremantle have notched their first win of the 2025 AFL season with an emphatic 38-point victory over West Coast in the 60th Western Derby at Optus Stadium, running out 15.16 (106) to 10.8 (68) winners on Sunday evening.

After a blistering Eagles start, it was all Dockers from quarter time as they dominated stoppages and controlled territory.

Led by a midfield masterclass from Caleb Serong, Fremantle pulled away across the second and third terms to secure their seventh win from the past eight Derbies.

Serong, who finished with 35 disposals, 10 clearances and five intercepts, was awarded a record-equalling fourth Glendinning-Allan Medal, matching Fremantle great Paul Hasleby.

Alongside vice-captain Andrew Brayshaw (29 disposals, six clearances), Serong led a midfield unit that completely overpowered a sluggish West Coast Eagles engine room, which managed just two players with 20 or more touches.

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The Fremantle Dockers also found spark in attack, with Jye Amiss bagging four goals and Josh Treacy booting three second-term majors.

Luke Jackson was dominant in the ruck, while Isaiah Dudley made a dream debut, kicking two goals in a lively first half after being signed just months ago during the pre-season supplemental period.

West Coast’s woes were compounded by injury concerns to key defender Jeremy McGovern (groin), who failed to return after three-quarter-time, and Fremantle’s own skipper Alex Pearce (leg), who bravely returned late in the game.

Fremantle controlled the inside 50 count 65-37 and won clearances by 15, with their midfield depth proving far too much for the Eagles.

The Dockers’ pressure game and composure with ball in hand were on full display in front of a vocal crowd of 56,000, as the side surpassed 100 points for the first time since Round 21 last year — also against West Coast.

There were fireworks throughout the match, including a third-quarter flashpoint between Serong and Jack Graham, after the Eagles midfielder had briefly limited his influence in the second term.

But the tag was abandoned after half-time, allowing Serong to break free and drive the Dockers forward with a dominant third quarter.

For the Eagles, Harley Reid provided one of the few highlights with a stunning third-quarter speccy and goal, while co-captain Oscar Allen endured a dirty day, finishing with just four disposals and later shifting to defence following injuries to McGovern and Harry Edwards.

The loss drops West Coast to 1-2, while Fremantle improve to 1-2 with a chance to even their season next week at home against the Western Bulldogs.

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