<p>It’s time for Western Derby 61!</p> <p>Normally, whenever Fremantle and West Coast clash, formlines go out the window and it’s a case of ‘Any Given Sunday’. But unfortunately, the feeling is far from that this time around when comparing the fortunes of both teams.</p> <p>Fremantle went and put ‘Flagmantle’ back on the agenda after their barnstorming takedown of Collingwood at the MCG.</p> <p>Down by as many as 22 points in the final quarter, it was a team-lifting display, led by the prancing pony Patrick Voss with half-a-dozen goals and midfield guns Andy Brayshaw and Caleb Serong, before it was ultimately sealed with a Josh Treacy intercept mark deep in defence.</p> <p>It was the statement win to add to their catalogue of impressive wins already this season to finally prove to the competition, and themselves, that they, despite it still remaining mathematically possible that they could miss the top-eight from here (A very Dockery thing to do according to their supporters), have set themselves up to even eye a top-four finish.</p> <p>Across town, things couldn’t be more bleak at West Coast. Coming up against Richmond at home, their last realistic chance at adding to their solitary win for season 2025, and they were comprehensively blown off the park.</p> <p>A 49-point loss to the Tigers, with very few contributors, added another chapter to the dark recent history at the West Coast Eagles. And it doesn’t look like they will find their way out of the black hole they are stuck in anytime soon.</p> <p>Unless they can pick themselves up and rise for the derby? That would be nice. Can they put a big dent in the Dockers’ hunt for a top-four spot? Or will Freo just continue their party and roll onto a big finish to the year?</p> <p>The Dockers might only need to make one change at selection. Hayden Young will surely come into the starting 22 after making a hell of a contribution as the sub halfway through the third quarter in his return from a hamstring injury.</p> <p>His elevation will come for Matt Johnson, who will go out of the team with an ankle injury. Small forward Isiah Dudley is among the leading contenders to come back into the team after a strong performance in the WAFL.</p> <p>Skipper Alex Pearce and veteran Nat Fyfe are both back in full training but will both be managed for an extra week.</p> <p>The Eagles chose to manage youngster Elijah Hewett last week, and he should make his return this week after the breather. You’d expect there to be some unforced changes based on form after the poor third quarter, which would bring the likes of Archer Reid, Sandy Brock, Bo Allan, and Tom Gross into the frame for senior selection.</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Dockers vs Eagles prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Fremantle vs West Coast Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Fremantle Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Luke Ryan, Brennan Cox, Karl Worner</p> <p>HB: Heath Chapman, Oscar McDonald, Jordan Clark</p> <p>C: Hayden Young, Jaeger O’Meara, Shai Bolton</p> <p>HF: Michael Fredrick, Josh Treacy, Murphy Reid</p> <p>F: Sam Switkowski, Patrick Voss, Jye Amiss</p> <p>Foll: Luke Jackson, Caleb Serong, Andy Brayshaw</p> <p>Int: Sean Darcy, Nathan O’Driscoll. Corey Wagner, Bailey Banfield, Isaiah Dudley</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>West Coast Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Liam Duggan, Harry Edwards, Reuben Ginbey</p> <p>HB: Liam Baker, Rhett Bazzo, Tom Cole</p> <p>C: Tom McCarthy, Harley Reid, Clay Hall</p> <p>HF: Liam Ryan, Jobe Shanahan, Tyler Brockman</p> <p>F: Matt Owies, Bailey Williams, Jamie Cripps</p> <p>Foll: Matt Flynn, Brady Hough, Tim Kelly</p> <p>Int: Bo Allan, Tyrell Dewar, Jack Hutchinson, Sandy Brock, Jack Petruccelle</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Fremantle vs West Coast Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>No team would be enjoying this period of prolonged Eagle cellar dwelling than their crosstown rivals.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dockers have saluted in seven of the past 10 derbies and have closed the overall head-to-head gap to 27-33 in the Eagles' favour.</p> <p>You’d expect the Eagles to come out strongly and put up a fight, but it’s hard to make a compelling case for them in their current state.</p> <p>Their ball movement and work from centre bounce has progressed and improved since the start of the year. They’re ranked sixth in the competition over the last five weeks for getting the ball from the defensive half of the ground to the forward half, but are ranked 18th for turning those chains into scores and actually scoring points.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dockers' defence has improved over the past five weeks, ranking third in the competition for allowing opposition shots at goal and sitting fourth for overall points against in the same period.&nbsp;</p> <p>Could Harley get hot and dominate himself? Or will the Dockers just have too much class and polish? We feel it’s that.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/fremantle-v-west-coast-eagles-9409476">Dockers</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>There was a Prancing Pony (otherwise known as Patrick Voss) on the loose at the MCG last week. It not only did a serious number on Collingwood, kicking half a dozen goals, but also sent Essendon supporters into a tizz on social media wondering why they got rid of this guy.</p> <p>Anyway, we hope the Dockers team management caught him and he was able to catch his flight home, because we’re picking him for the first goal of the derby here. Hope he’s got some great goal celebrations planned too.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/fremantle-v-west-coast-eagles-9409476">Patrick Voss</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>So that’s two weeks in a row now that teams haven’t tagged Caleb Serong and he’s gotten off the chain and helped win the Dockers the game.&nbsp;</p> <p>After the Swans made his life a living hell holding him to just 11 touches, both the Hawks and Pies looked at it and said, ‘nah, not for us. ’&nbsp;</p> <p>Will the Eagles follow suit? I mean this guy already has four best-on-ground medals in Western Derbies in his trophy cabinet…</p> <p>He averages 31.8 touches in his past five games against the Eagles, and we’re picking him to get the most ball and win a record-breaking fifth Glendenning-Allan Medal for best on ground.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/fremantle-v-west-coast-eagles-9409476">Caleb Serong 35+ disposals</a></p> <p><br /> &nbsp;</p> <h2>Fremantle Dockers vs West Coast Eagles Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, July 26, 2025</p> <p><strong>First Bounce:</strong> 4:15pm AEST</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Optus Stadium, Perth</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Fox Footy/ Kayo Sports</p>