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Fremantle vs West Coast Eagles AFL Round 20 Tips - Eagles to stick with ladder leaders in Western Derby
The upcoming Western Derby promises a fiercely contested clash as top-of-the-ladder Fremantle (16-2) face an improved but still bottom-four West Coast Eagles (4-14). While the Dockers remain favourites, West Coast's resilience and defensive pressure make them competitive, often keeping games close, even against strong teams. Expect a low-scoring affair due to both teams' defensive strengths, with Patrick Voss tipped as a standout goalscorer. Recommendation: Take the Eagles with the points, total match points to go under, and keep an eye on Voss in the goalscorer market.
- The game will be played at Optus Stadium on Friday, 24th July, with the bounce at 8:10 PM (AEST)
- Can the Eagles cause a boilover?
- Preview, expert analysis, stats, team news & best bet
Fremantle vs West Coast Eagles AFL Round 20 Tips
Fremantle vs West Coast Eagles Preview
- Fremantle vs West Coast Eagles Preview
- Head to Head Stats
- Fremantle Form Analysis
- West Coast Eagles Form Analysis
- Fremantle vs West Coast Eagles Team List & News
- Fremantle Team News
- West Coast Eagles Team News
- Fremantle vs West Coast Eagles AFL 2026 Round 20 FAQ's
The Western Derby has produced plenty of blowouts over the years, but this one shapes differently as an improved West Coast outfit tests its credentials against Fremantle.
The Dockers are hot favourites and sit comfortably on top of the ladder with a 16-2 win-loss record this season, but West Coast have become tough to put away and can stick with their local rivals
With both teams relying heavily on their defensive structures, another low-scoring Derby also appeals, while Patrick Voss shapes as an intriguing goalscorer option after his recent success against West Coast.
The biggest reason to side with the Eagles against the line is the way they have competed over the past two months. While the wins haven't arrived, massive defeats have become a thing of the past.
They have consistently frustrated some of the competition's best sides through pressure, contested football and disciplined team defence, forcing Brisbane, the Western Bulldogs and Adelaide into hard-fought victories in the past three weeks.
Derby intensity generally lifts another level and there is little reason to think the Eagles won't again produce a committed four-quarter effort.
Fremantle's recent starts also suggest this game may not get away from West Coast early. The Dockers have found themselves chasing games over the past fortnight before producing dominant second halves to overwhelm Sydney and Port Adelaide.
That ability to finish strongly has become one of their trademarks, but slow openings leave the door ajar for an improving Eagles outfit to stay in touch well into the contest. Even if Fremantle eventually takes control, West Coast can remain close enough to cover a sizeable line.
The total points market also looks to favour the under. Fremantle's success has been built around elite defensive pressure, contest work and restricting opposition ball movement, while West Coast has also become far more accountable without the ball.
The Eagles have held several quality opponents to manageable scores despite spending long periods defending, and Derby football traditionally becomes a territory battle where every contest is fiercely fought. Expect repeat stoppages, plenty of pressure around the ball and fewer easy scoring opportunities than a typical Fremantle home game.
Fremantle will gain its advantage is through the depth and quality of its midfield. Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw and Luke Jackson consistently generate repeat inside 50s and eventually wear opposition midfields down over four quarters.
Patrick Voss appeals as one of the better player props despite the expectation of a lower-scoring contest. The powerful forward has kicked three goals in each of his past two Derby appearances and continues to thrive against the Eagles' defence.
With much of West Coast's attention likely to focus on Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss, Voss could again find favourable one-on-one opportunities inside 50. Take the Eagles with the start, the total match points to go under, while Voss shapes as the value for goalscorer markets over Treacy and Amiss.
- West Coast have won two and lost five of their past seven at Optus Stadium with those losses all by less than 25 points.
- Patrick Voss has kicked three goals in each of his past two matches against the Eagles.
- The total points in the Eagles' past eight matches at Optus Stadium has averaged 157. The total points in Fremantle's past eight at Optus Stadium has averaged 164.
Head to Head Stats
The Dockers have won nine of the past 10 between the two sides and have taken out the past four matches by an average margin of 46 points.
Standout player performances in the recent head to heads have come from;
- Patrick Voss (Dockers)- three goals in each of his past two matches against the Eagles.
- Jake Waterman (Eagles)- eight goals in his past three meetings against Fremantle.
- Jye Amiss (Dockers)- 12 goals in his past three against West Coast.
- Tom McCarthy (Eagles)- 28 disposals in the most recent meeting.
Fremantle Form Analysis
Fremantle sits comfortably on top of the AFL ladder with a 16-2 record and strengthened its grip on the minor premiership with a 28-point win over Port Adelaide last weekend. The Dockers again showcased their ability to finish games strongly, trailing by 12 points at half-time before kicking nine of the final 12 goals to overrun the Power. It continued a trend that has become a feature of their season after they also kicked 12 of the final 14 goals the previous week to defeat Sydney by 38 points.
Fremantle remains unbeaten at Optus Stadium in 2026, winning all nine matches at the venue by an average of 36 points. Home victories over second-placed Sydney and Gold Coast in recent weeks have reinforced just how difficult the Dockers are to beat on their home deck, with their defensive pressure and contested football proving overwhelming as matches wear on.
Jye Amiss continued his outstanding season with four goals against Port Adelaide and has now kicked 26 goals across his past 10 matches. Josh Treacy added another three majors and has kicked at least three goals in five of his past seven outings, while Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong again controlled the midfield in the second half as Fremantle's stars stood up when the game was on the line.
West Coast Eagles Form Analysis
West Coast remains in the bottom four with a 4-14 record and has now lost six consecutive matches, but the Eagles continue to show significant improvement under Andrew McQualter. Five of those six defeats have been by 25 points or less, with the young side consistently challenging finals contenders before falling away late. Last week's 24-point loss to Brisbane was another example after the Eagles led early and remained in the contest until deep into the final quarter.
The Eagles continue to find positives through their emerging core. Jake Waterman kicked five goals against the Lions to take his season tally to 40 and has now kicked at least three goals in each of his past seven matches at Optus Stadium. Jobe Shanahan added another three goals and has kicked multiple goals in each of his past three games, while Harley Reid again led from the front with 23 disposals and 10 clearances despite battling an ankle concern early in the match.
West Coast's competitiveness around stoppage was another encouraging sign, matching Brisbane through much of the contest before the premiers' experience eventually proved decisive. The Eagles continue to narrow the gap on the competition's best sides and should again make life difficult for Fremantle in another fiercely contested Derby.
Fremantle vs West Coast Eagles Team List & News
Fremantle Team News
The Dockers have made three changes for the Western Derby, with Oscar McDonald, Shai Bolton and Corey Wagner all returning. Brennan Cox has been managed following his milestone match, while Jaeger O’Meara is injured and Hayden Young misses through illness.
West Coast Eagles Team News
The Eagles lose Liam Baker through suspension, while Jack Graham has been managed and Jack Hutchinson is unavailable through injury. Ryan Maric, Harry Johnston and Sandy Brock have all been recalled for the derby.
| Fremantle | POS | West Coast Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| O. McDonald, A. Pearce, H. Chapman | B | L. Duggan, R. Bazzo, B. Starcevich |
| J. Clark, L. Ryan, J. McVee | HB | M. Herbert, T. Young, T. McCarthy |
| M. Johnson, A. Brayshaw, N. O'Driscoll | C | W. Duursma, E. Yeo, B. Allan |
| M. Reid, M. Frederick, S. Switkowski | HF | T. Kelly, J. Shanahan, T. Cole |
| P. Voss, J. Amiss, J. Treacy | F | M. Murdock, J. Waterman, J. Williams |
| L. Jackson, C. Serong, S. Bolton | FOLL | B. Williams, H. Reid, O. Francou |
| I. Dudley, M. Cox, C. Wagner, N. Erasmus, K. Worner | I/C | B. Hough, R. Maric, H. Johnston, H. Davis, S. Brock |
Fremantle vs West Coast Eagles AFL 2026 Round 20 FAQ's
- How to watch Fremantle vs West Coast Eagles AFL 2026 Round 20?
You can watch the Fremantle vs West Coast Eagles AFL 2026 Round 20 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.
- How to buy tickets to Fremantle vs West Coast Eagles AFL 2026 Round 20?
To buy tickets to the Fremantle vs West Coast Eagles AFL 2026 Round 20 game check the AFL website or the official Fremantle site.
Verdict
Eagles and the total points to stay under, Voss to continue strong record against Eagles
West Coast +42/5
Line
$1.90 - 1 Unit
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Under 170.5
O/U
$1.86 - 1 Unit
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Patrick Voss
To Kick 3+ goals
$2.10 - 1 Unit
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