Western derby 62 is Fremantle’s chance to show how ruthless they can be.

The Dockers have passed plenty of big tests in the last 12 months. They have won big matches interstate and they’ve won a stack of close games. But now they have an opportunity to make an absolute mess of a young West Coast team and set up their quest to finish in the top two.

Right now, they are chasing ladder leaders Sydney. The Swans destroyed West Coast two weeks ago, winning by 128 points. They were merciless.

Sydney led by 10 goals at half-time and refused to slow down. James Jordan kept tagging Harley Reid as if it was a one-point contest. The Swans kicked 4.9 in the final term so it could have been an even bigger win.

The Swans also thumped Carlton by 10 goals in Opening Round. The Blues led by 10 points at half-time and Sydney ran wild with 18 goals for the remainder of the game.

Who are Fremantle’s next two opponents? West Coast and Carlton.

The Dockers must capitalise on the chance to increase their percentage against the lower teams to maintain pressure on Sydney and maintain the gap between themselves and Hawthorn, who started the round in third place.

The Western Bulldogs were the other team on 4-1 at the start of the round but their season copped a massive blow on Friday night with a stack of injuries during their loss to Geelong. The Dogs have confirmed the horrible news that brilliant key forward Sam Darcy requires a knee reconstruction. The Dockers’ next road trip is against the Bulldogs in Round 8.

Fremantle have won eight of the last nine derbies. The only defeat came in 2024. But the teams that run out on Sunday are vastly different to that night.

Isaiah Dudley will be Fremantle’s least experienced player. The derby will be his 22nd match. There will be 10 Eagles with less experience. Back in 2024, both teams had six players who were yet to play 30 games.

The Dockers have 11 different faces from that day – Shai Bolton, Murphy Reid, Pat Voss, Heath Chapman, Brennan Cox, Sam Switkowski, Corey Wagner, Isaiah Dudley, Karl Worner, Judd McVee and Mason Cox. It is a formidable line-up and one that should have a massive advantage.

Hayden Young is back. So is Michael Frederick. And Mason Cox will play for the club for the first time. He and Luke Jackson will give Fremantle first use of the ball in the midfield.

Bookmakers have the line at 43.5 points. All three of West Coast’s losses have been by a bigger margin this season, so it is important for Fremantle to seize their chance.

Sydney have a percentage of 173.3. Hawthorn’s thrilling three-point win against Port Adelaide on Saturday moved them to 5-1 but they lost almost three percentage points along the way to sit at 118.2. The Dockers’ percentage is 131.4. Hawthorn’s win lifted them above Fremantle temporarily but they’ll drop back to third if the Dockers take care of West Coast.

Fremantle finished sixth last year on the same number of wins as fourth-placed Collingwood. Percentage cost them a top four spot. Now is the time to set up their season by capitalising on their early close wins and being absolutely ruthless.