Mick Malthouse: Derby hatred is real and Fremantle Dockers must be wary of West Coast rising to the occasion

Sunday’s Western Derby is highly significant for a number of reasons. Pride for the West Coast Eagles. Cementing a top-four ladder position for the Fremantle Dockers. But make no mistake, every time it’s played there is a genuine rivalry that borders on hatred between the two clubs, that takes the clash to a whole new level. Realistically, the Eagles have little to no chance of making the eight and would be very lucky to make the top 10. Freo, having only dropped the one game sit in second spot, but are vulnerable. They will make the eight, but it’s games like this one that will cause Justin Longmuir as much angst as playing a top side. Players from both clubs will be drawn into the bubble of neighbour versus neighbour, enemy versus enemy, and wanting to destroy their opponent and their season. From experience, I know this is a dangerous way to prepare for a game as the team can lose focus of the big picture. The contrast to this is the “blockbuster” at the MCG tonight. Carlton and Collingwood, who have been bitter rivals virtually from their existence well over 100 years ago. When these two clubs were part of the VFL competition, it was the blue-collar worker versus the white-collar worker and the Blues and Pies had a disdain for one another that transcended football. However, with the introduction of the AFL, that has been diluted somewhat. The supporters certainly haven’t lost their rivalry, but having coached at both clubs, I felt that the players weren’t necessarily on board with the traditional suburb versus suburb friction. After all, they had come from all over Australia to play for these clubs, and as much as they don’t like to acknowledge it, it really is just like any other game. Tonight’s match will be no less intense than Sunday’s derby, but when the Eagles and Dockers go at each other, the loathing is very evident. Because it is human nature that the big dog wants to stay the big dog. Much like Sydney taking on GWS and Brisbane against Gold Coast. The Showdown in South Australia is legendary for its fierce acrimony. It is very difficult to manufacture a rivalry built on history, as things change, like the VFL becoming the AFL. For West Coast and Fremantle though, the enmity is real. And not only for the players playing on Sunday, but for former players who still loathe each other. Freo managed to wear Collingwood down last week, albeit that the Magpies can’t kick a big score. Having been at that game, I think the Dockers would have come away knowing they were lucky. Not many games are won by kicking 7.3. Defensively they were outstanding. Offensively, Fremantle just doesn’t measure up against the top three or four sides — and this must change. The Dockers without Hayden Young in the middle also struggle to have enough top-line players going through the centre square. And no doubt they are still in a dilemma as to what to do with their rucks. It will be a test this weekend, but West Coast really can’t seem to challenge the top echelon clubs at this stage. Without their senior players absorbing most of the pressure it falls to the likes of Harley Reid, Willem Duursma, Josh Lindsay, and Jobe Shannahan. They need the senor players to step up — including their co-captain Liam Baker. The challenge won’t be how the Eagles play, it will be how the Dockers play. History shows these games to be blowouts, or the favourite tightens up and it becomes a scrap. West Coast can win in a scrap, unless Freo absorbs it with a highly disciplined display forward of centre to put a cap on the scoreboard. Dockers for me by 20 points.