The two Western Australia-based AFL teams have never been more diametrically opposed in their pursuit of a premiership, just a third of the way through the season. The Fremantle Dockers have established themselves as genuine flag contenders after a gritty victory over Hawthorn at Optus Stadium, while the West Coast Eagles continue to spiral into a state of disarray following a heavy defeat to Melbourne.
Dockers Display Resilience
Fremantle edged out the high-flying Hawks 12.16 (88) to 11.7 (73) on Thursday night, overcoming a 19-point deficit early in the final quarter. This victory momentarily propelled the Dockers to the top of the AFL ladder, underscoring their newfound grit. Rarely in the club's 30-year history have they shown such resilience, winning four of their eight games from behind. Notably, two of those wins came away from home against teams that featured in the 2025 finals series. While it is premature to predict a first premiership, given the Dockers' history of false dawns, there is a distinct sense that something different is brewing at the club.
Eagles' Continued Decline
In stark contrast, the West Coast Eagles are a shadow of their former glory. Their 15.9 (99) to 9.13 (67) loss to Melbourne on Sunday highlighted their struggles. The Eagles have won two of the last three wooden spoons and are likely to add a fourth by season's end. Early-season hopes were raised by impressive comeback wins over North Melbourne and Port Adelaide, but those were quickly dashed by heavy losses to Sydney (128 points), Geelong (46), Fremantle (56), and St Kilda (101). A new low was reached when they lost at home to an injury-ravaged and winless Richmond by 11 points. The 101-point defeat to St Kilda marked their ninth triple-figure loss since 2022, while the other 17 teams combined have managed only seven such losses in the same period.
Recruitment Contrasts
West Coast's fall from grace can be traced back to their decision to trade heavily for Tim Kelly in 2019, sacrificing draft picks in a bid for another flag. This move overlooked the need to replenish their list with young talent, leading to an overestimation of their ageing squad. The club has since been forced to recruit mature-age players at bargain prices to balance the youngest list in the AFL. Giving up pick three in the 2024 draft for Richmond's Liam Baker and small forward Matthew Owies from Carlton has not paid dividends; Carlton used that pick to secure Jagga Smith, who already looks like a ready-made replacement for Patrick Cripps. While Baker has added leadership, Owies has struggled to make an impact.
Conversely, the Dockers have adopted a methodical approach to list building under list manager David Walls. They have added quality players such as Luke Jackson, Jordan Clark, and Shai Bolton, along with astute selections like Josh Treacy, Patrick Voss, and Mason Cox. The acquisition of wunderkind Murphy Reid with pick 17 in the 2024 draft further strengthens their midfield, which already features Hayden Young, Andrew Brayshaw, and Caleb Serong. This group has the power to match the Brisbane Lions.
Jackson's Impact
Luke Jackson has emerged as Fremantle's biggest weapon. His ability to control the flow of the game was evident against Hawthorn, where he ignited the Dockers in the final quarter. The 24-year-old is now one of the most damaging big men in the competition, consistently ranking first or second in hitouts differential and hitouts to advantage differential. If he stays fit, he could soon claim his second premiership medallion.
Glimmer of Hope for Eagles
For West Coast, there is a faint glimmer of hope in the form of young stars Harley Reid and Willem Duursma. However, these two players, barely out of high school, should not be burdened with such a massive rebuild. The Eagles would be wise to study Fremantle's playbook and adopt a more ruthless and patient approach to recruitment. As the Dockers have demonstrated, a slow burn can eventually lead back to the top.
