Welcome to the Western Watercooler, where we digest the talking points from the weekend’s games – and the highlights, frustrations and silver linings WA footy fans can cling to as the season progresses.
The Dockers staked their premiership credentials with their best win of the season yet – a come-from-behind triumph over fellow flag fancies Hawthorn on the back of a powerful final quarter.
West Coast were again defeated, this time by Melbourne, but hung tough to avoid a blowout.
The major fallout of the loss will centre around the playing future of Harry Edwards who suffered his third concussion this season.
Fremantle Dockers
What went right? Fremantle’s ability to run out the game.
Thursday’s match was the Dockers’ third straight fixture coming off six-day breaks, but you wouldn’t have known.
Fremantle bullied the Hawks in the final term, recording 21-4 inside-50s, and there was no one more influential than Luke Jackson.
The 24-year-old did it all.
Big marks, centre clearances, score involvements and a breathtaking smother which set up Michael Frederick’s game-sealing goal.
His athleticism, aerobic capacity and match-winning impact was on full display in a best on ground display.
What went wrong? Alex Pearce’s knee injury.
The captain went down in the final 20 seconds of Thursday’s match, scans revealing an MCL tear which the club are hopeful will only rule him out for a fortnight – eyeing a Round 12 return against Brisbane.
It is a relatively positive outcome, considering Pearce has previously suffered two broken legs and a fractured ankle.
2) Containing Jack Gunston and Nick Watson in the first half.
The evergreen Gunston kicked five goals from a seven inside fifty marks as the Dockers defence, which entered the game as the stingiest in the competition, was exposed.
He was given too much space inside 50, and cashed in as the Hawks were allowed to easily transition from defence to attack.
If Gunston was proving difficult enough, young gun Nick Watson turned the headache into a migraine.
The 21 year-old had maximum impact from only seven touches, booting three majors, including one from a brilliant run-down tackle on Brennan Cox.
Silver lining? Michael Frederick.
The season to date hadn’t gone to plan for the speedster suffering an ankle injury on the eve of the year.
Frederick spent increased time roaming the wing and his impact skyrocketed.
He proved a vital link finishing with eight score involvements while booting three goals – two in the final term – to help reel in the Hawks.
His speed and ability to find and create space for his teammates proved a huge factor.
West Coast Eagles
What went right? Final quarter fight.
On the road, down by 46 points and missing a key tall defender, the Eagles could have rolled over at the final change.
Sure the result was known, but West Coast have been on the end of plenty of beltings in recent times.
Yesterday, they were able to finish the game with plenty of run and pressure on the Demons, booting four goals two, winning the last quarter of a game for the first time this season, eventually going down by 32 points.
What went wrong? Harry Edwards’ plight.
The future of the 25 year-old is now in serious doubt.
Sporting a helmet as he returned from a concussion in Round 2, the key defender didn’t last 10 minutes.
A stray Elliot Yeo elbow floored Edwards, leaving blood pouring from his head, ending his day after undergoing a SCAT Test.
It was his third concussion alone this year, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Edwards was forced to face the concussion panel.
West Coast’s key defender stocks are being seriously tested while Edwards playing career seemingly lies in the hands of medical experts.
Silver Lining? Brady Hough.
The 23-year-old won his head-to-head with Kysaiah Pickett, his close checking especially after half-time seeing the Demons star have minimal impact on the game.
Pickett finished with 14 touches and a goal.
Hough could well be set for another tough match-up next week, GWS captain and match-winner Toby Greene looms large for this weekend’s encounter, fresh off three goals.
Paddy Sweeney is a Nine News Perth sports presenter and journalist.