We’re looking ahead a little bit for this one, as the game doesn’t kick off until 8.10pm AEST (that’s 6.10pm in the west, before anyone complains), but there is the small matter of a Western Derby to settle tonight.
On paper, it’s not much to get excited about. You’ve got clearly the best team in the league in Fremantle against one of the very worst teams in the league in West Coast. The Dockers are charging towards the minor premiership and a run at a flag while the Eagles are running out the kids and patching things up after yet more injury and suspension. It has all the makings of an absolute drubbing.
But the Eagles have are coming off a run of tough games against good teams, and in all of them they have held their own. Granted they haven’t won any of them, but they at least made games of it which is all we’re really asking for here. Up against Drederick Tatum, we’re simply looking for a team to sustain verticality for three rounds.
Still, the Dockers will be sensing another night of celebration in what is becoming a very purple season. Wiping the local rivals off the map on the way to a maiden flag is the sort of thing that could make up for 31 years of not a whole lot for Freo fans.
dan