I can't remember the last time a round three match between two losing sides was so highly anticipated, but this year's first Western Derby looms as a great bout between two "potential" AFL heavyweights.
Both the Eagles and Dockers are coming off bad losses in round two (Fremantle's being considerably worse), and both will be eager to rectify their defeats.
West Coast could not overcome their Hawthorn-hoodoo (if two consecutive losses to a side can be called hoodoo) last weekend, while Fremantle was overwhelmed in front of a home-crowd by the up and coming Gold Coast Suns.
But despite the sides' poor form of last week, this game is probably the most alluring game in the round three fixture, with the Hawthorn/Bulldogs match being the only argument against that.
The Dockers desperately need to open their 2016 account with a win in this match, otherwise they face an uphill climb from an 0-3 start. A loss won't affect the Eagles quite as much, but 1-2 is not a prospect last year's grand finalists will want to entertain.
So without further ado, here is the key information all football fans need to know before the 2016 Western Derby.
The selection table
WEST COAST
In: Chris Masten
Out: Jamie Bennell (omitted)
A sluggish display from Jamie Bennell has seen him axed from the side to make way for the returning Chris Masten.
The comeback of the perennial ball-winner adds pace to the Eagles midfield.
But the Eagles may make more changes as the match draws closer, with a number of players under injury clouds.
Luke Shuey, Liam Duggan and Mark Hutchings will all have to prove their fitness before the match.
FREMANTLE
In: Matt de Boer
Out: Clancee Pearce (omitted)
Michael Barlow, Danyle Pearce, Garrick Ibbotson and Chris Mayne have all survived being omitted from Fremantle lineup despite poor displays to open the season.
The same cannot be said for Clancee Pearce, who has felt the brunt of the selection committee as they've shown favour to Matt de Boer after some blistering performances for Peel Thunder in the WAFL.
The addition of de Boer gives Freo a tagging option, as his stamina allows him to run with the Eagles' formidable midfielders.
Youngsters Alex Pearce, Lachie Weller and Ed Langdon have all retained their spot in the side.
LATE MAIL: Fremantle captain David Mundy has been withdrawn from the match due to a calf injury. He has been replaced by Tendai Mzungu with first year player Darcy Tucker taking the emergency position.
Key battles on the ground
RUCK CONTEST
In recent years, the ruck contests between Fremantle and West Coast have had AFL fans across the nation salivating.
This year it looks less enticing.
Freo's Aaron Sandilands and West Coast's Nic Naitanui can be counted on for their usual powerhouse displays, but the backup ruck duel appears less-than-satisfying for fans.
Both Jon Griffin and Zac Clarke are yet to cement their spot in the Dockers' side, with swingman Alex Pearce pinch-hitting in the ruck last week. The Eagles face a similar dilemma with Scott Lycett, who is yet to fill the shoes of Callum Sinclair, who was traded to Sydney during the off-season.
Naitanui's mobility gives West Coast the edge around the ground, but Sandilands' height gives Freo the upper hand in stoppages.
THE MIDFIELD
This is where the Derby, as with 99 per cent of AFL games, gets interesting.
Freo's Nat Fyfe and West Coast's Matt Priddis have formed the quinella in the Brownlow Medal count for the past two years, and although the two most-likely won't have a direct matchup, they are the keys for both their respective sides.
Both have had one decent game out of two so far in 2016, and will be keen to see their sides to an important victory this week.
But they will need the help of their fellow midfielders to take this game.
Surrounding Fyfe is Lachie Neale, Stephen Hill, David Mundy and Barlow - all of whom could be considered out of form.
Teaming with Priddis is Shuey, Andrew Gaff, Duggan and Masten, a strong brigade who underwhelmed last week.
West Coast probably takes the edge in this matchup, but if Fremantle can find their feet, they can open the game up.
From the coaches
Both coaches sat down with reporters at a press conference prior to the Western Derby on Wednesday, here is what they had to say.
WEST COAST - ADAM SIMPSON
Simpson said the Eagles' issues last week came from an inability to win the ball.
"A lot went wrong on Sunday for us [against Hawthorn]. The main part for us was winning the ball and a lot of our problems stemmed from that, so we need to get that right," he said.
Simpson also stressed that Jetta needed to be given patience, and he would not be instantly ousted after his poor display.
"We need to give him some patience, but he needs to perform at the same time," he said.
"We'll back him in."
FREMANTLE - ROSS LYON
Lyon identified areas his side could improve, admitting that recent form had been poor.
He cited recent tweaks in his side's game plan, as they try to become more attacking, as creating issues for players.
"With change comes challenge," Lyon said.
"We feel we've identified a couple of areas where we can improve - obviously we need to.
"Fundamentally we'll stick with what we're doing.
"Our effort is there ... we're feeling pretty good."
From the players
WEST COAST - JEREMY MCGOVERN
West Coast versatile swingman Jeremy McGovern said his side won't be taking the Dockers lightly, despite Fremantle's 0-2 start to 2016.
"It is a derby so the intensity is always a little bit higher, which is going to be good for the fans I guess. You'd like to think they would come out hard, but we'd be hoping we'd be doing the same thing," McGovern told reporters on Monday.
"I think we'd probably come out just as hard after our loss,"
FREMANTLE - DAVID MUNDY
The Fremantle captain spoke to fremantlefc.com.au about the pleasing strides his side's young talent have taken this season.
Both Alex Pearce and Ed Langdon made their first appearances of 2016 in the loss against the Gold Coast on Saturday, while Lachie Weller continued to display his pressure and work rate in his second game of the season.
“They were really good,” Mundy said.
“Ed came in off some pretty good form in the WAFL last week and that’s really important.
Langdon, Pearce and Weller had all performed to a high standard for Peel Thunder before playing for Freo in 2016, and Mundy said the pressure from the WAFL level would continue to help improve the senior squad.
“The Peel guys went quite well again (v Swan Districts),” he said.
“It takes a solid 30 to 35 players to really knuckle out an AFL season, so for us to keep pressure on spots like that is fantastic.”
Back in the day
Here are the scores from the last five times the sides met.
The crystal ball
For me, as both a sports writer and a football fan, this game has the potential to be one of the best of the season.
Fyfe v Priddis looms as the hot topic in this match, but I'm particularly intrigued to see what Fremantle do with Michael Walters.
His spurts in the midfield have given the Dockers a breath of fresh-air, but can they afford to leave him out of the forward line for extended periods of time?
As for the Eagles, I'll be watching Jamie Cripps.
Like Walters, Cripps can play up the ground, but has the ability to boot needed goals when he plays forward. Gold Coast's mid-sized forward Jack Martin tore Freo apart last week, and they'll need to watch players like Cripps from now on.
After two lack-luster, blowout derbies last year, I'm looking forward to seeing the two sides play out a close one.
I'm going with the Eagles by 11 points, but I could easily be wrong.
