Western Derby
Encyclopedia
The Western Derby is the name given to the Australian rules football
rivalry match between the Fremantle Football Club
and West Coast Eagles
, who both participate in the Australian Football League
(AFL). As both teams are based in Western Australia
, the term 'derby
' is used to describe the match.
There are two Western Derbies every year during the home and away season. In recent years the derby has been part of the AFL Rivalry Round
. There has never been a Western Derby finals match.
West Coast were the dominant team during Fremantle's initial years, winning the first nine derbies. However since Fremantle won their first Western Derby in July 1999 it has been fourteen wins to nine in Fremantle's favour. West Coast are the holders of the Western Derby Trophy, having beaten Fremantle by one point in Round 18, 2011.
The player adjudged best player in each derby match is awarded the Ross Glendinning Medal
, named after former West Coast Eagles player and Fremantle Dockers Chairman of selectors Ross Glendinning
.
' 10 goals led West Coast to a 117 point win) and in the lead up both teams were talking down the importance of the game with the standard line of "it's only worth 4 points". However, Clive Waterhouse
indicated that something different might happen by saying that "blood would be spilled".
Before the first bounce, West Coast, through Michael Gardiner
, went on the attack, pushing and shoving first year player Matthew Pavlich
. The umpires awarded a free kick to Pavlich before the ball was bounced. However West Coast settled and led by four goals at quarter time with goals to Phillip Read, Andrew Embley
and three to Phil Matera. Fremantle's forward line was struggling, with only 4 goals to half time, including two to Waterhouse, and singles to midfielders Heath Black
and Troy Cook
, while two goals to Mitchell White
, a fourth goal for Matera and one to Chad Morrison
in the second quarter saw West Coast go to the half-time break a comfortable 32 points in front. During the break, a brawl broke out which cleared both team's benches and resulted in one of longest tribunal records in recent times.
In the third quarter, Phil Matera kicked his 5th goal, bringing the Eagles lead to 42 points, but Fremantle surged to cut the margin to 18 points at three quarter time with three goals to Clive Waterhouse and singles to Pavlich and Daniel Bandy
.
The last quarter saw Phil Matera carried from the ground on a stretcher after a hard collision with umpire Steven Handley
, and a solid but legal shirtfront by Troy Cook also saw Mitchell White carried from the ground on a stretcher. A six goal to three final quarter, including another two to Waterhouse and singles to Koops, Shipp, and ironically Kickett and Dodd saw Fremantle hit the lead by two points. With only seconds to spare the Eagles pushed forward and a loose ball was unable to be gathered in by makeshift forward Darren Glass
, resulting in a rushed behind
and a one point victory for Fremantle, only their 2nd ever in a Western Derby.
The following suspensions and fines were handed out as a result of the brawl:
The following week both teams were well beaten, with Fremantle beaten by Brisbane by 107 points at the Gabba and Melbourne winning by 70 points over the Eagles at Subiaco.
was reported by umpire Stuart Wenn
for striking and wrestling with West Coast's Adam Selwood
, who made an inappropriate comment about a tattoo on Headland's arm which depicted the Fremantle player's six-year-old daughter.
The case was heard on 18 April, with Selwood cleared of using abusive language towards Headland. Headland was found guilty of both striking and wrestling with Selwood, but was not suspended because of "exceptional and compelling circumstances by way of provocation".
West Coast won this match by 31 points, and Michael Braun was awarded the Ross Glendinning Medal, ending his acceptance speech with "Let's have a fucking good year", which was broadcast on live television and to the 42,551 in attendance. Braun was fined $500 by the Eagles, but the AFL intervened, severely reprimanded the Eagles and fined Braun $5000.
In the lead up to Selwood's Mothers' Day round 7 match against Geelong
, Selwood officially apologized to women, and claimed that he didn't mean what he had said to Headland four weeks earlier. Paradoxically, he also claimed that he was badly treated by the media because he was innocent of the charges in the Headland saga and he should have just been allowed to prove his innocence. West Coast would go on to lose its first game for season 2007 by 39 points against the eventual premiers Geelong.
Source: Stats.rleague.com
was penalised by umpire Dean Margetts in a deliberate out of bounds decision with West Coast leading by two points in the dying seconds. Having earnt a free kick from the decision, Hayden Ballantyne
had a chance to win the game for Fremantle with a shot after the siren from 50m out on a tight angle and whilst his drop punt looked a goal for much of its journey, it hit the padding on the right hand goalpost amid a sea of hands from both sides, leaving the Eagles the winners by a single point, 8.17 (65) to Fremantle's 9.10 (64).
This proved to be the catalyst for both sides as the season wound down. Fremantle slid down the ladder, losing the next six matches in succession to end a disappointing season, whilst West Coast went on to win their remaining regular season matches. It must be noted that West Coast had lost the week before against whilst Fremantle defeated away in Sydney.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
rivalry match between the Fremantle Football Club
Fremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
and West Coast Eagles
West Coast Eagles
The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League. The club is based in Perth, Western Australia. The club was founded in 1986 and played its first games in the 1987 season. Its current home ground is Subiaco Oval...
, who both participate in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL). As both teams are based in Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
, the term 'derby
Local derby
In many countries the term local derby, or simply just derby means a sporting fixture between two, generally local, rivals, particularly in association football...
' is used to describe the match.
There are two Western Derbies every year during the home and away season. In recent years the derby has been part of the AFL Rivalry Round
AFL team rivalries
AFL team rivalries are matches in the Australian Football League which typically draw large crowds and interest regardless of both teams' positions on the ladder...
. There has never been a Western Derby finals match.
West Coast were the dominant team during Fremantle's initial years, winning the first nine derbies. However since Fremantle won their first Western Derby in July 1999 it has been fourteen wins to nine in Fremantle's favour. West Coast are the holders of the Western Derby Trophy, having beaten Fremantle by one point in Round 18, 2011.
The player adjudged best player in each derby match is awarded the Ross Glendinning Medal
Ross Glendinning Medal
The Ross Glendinning Medal is awarded to the player judged best on ground in the Western Derby football match played between Fremantle Football Club and the West Coast Eagles....
, named after former West Coast Eagles player and Fremantle Dockers Chairman of selectors Ross Glendinning
Ross Glendinning
Ross Glendinning was an Australian rules footballer for the North Melbourne Football Club and West Coast Eagles in the Victorian Football League/Australian Football League...
.
Home and away season derby results
| Match | Round | Date | | Fremantle | | West Coast | Winner | By | Crowd | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | R7 | 14 May 1995 | 1.1 3.5 5.7 9.12 | 66 | 4.3 10.7 17.12 23.13 | 151 | West Coast | 85 | 41,601 |
| 2 | R22 | 3 September 1995 | 1.1 2.6 6.9 8.10 | 58 | 2.3 5.7 14.10 16.15 | 111 | West Coast | 53 | 39,486 |
| 3 | R1 | 31 March 1996 | 0.3 2.5 3.8 6.9 | 45 | 3.5 5.6 8.9 9.13 | 67 | West Coast | 22 | 32,880 |
| 4 | R16 | 21 July 1996 | 1.0 2.2 2.6 7.6 | 48 | 2.3 6.4 8.7 12.10 | 82 | West Coast | 34 | 35,410 |
| 5 | R3 | 13 April 1997 | 2.2 4.7 6.12 9.17 | 71 | 5.2 10.8 12.10 16.15 | 111 | West Coast | 40 | 39,586 |
| 6 | R18 | 3 August 1997 | 2.1 5.2 6.5 7.7 | 49 | 2.0 5.2 10.2 13.4 | 82 | West Coast | 33 | 39,711 |
| 7 | R3 | 12 April 1998 | 0.4 5.6 8.7 10.7 | 67 | 5.0 6.2 10.6 14.10 | 94 | West Coast | 27 | 34,557 |
| 8 | R18 | 2 August 1998 | 5.2 6.4 7.9 8.12 | 60 | 3.3 7.4 10.5 15.9 | 99 | West Coast | 39 | 37,372 |
| 9 | R1 | 28 March 1999 | 2.2 6.7 8.11 13.20 | 98 | 8.3 12.5 15.9 15.12 | 102 | West Coast | 4 | 32,656 |
| 10 | R16 | 18 July 1999 | 7.5 10.8 14.10 17.17 | 119 | 4.0 7.3 10.4 11.6 | 72 | Fremantle | 47 | 36,763 |
| 11 | R6 | 15 April 2000 | 3.0 4.3 6.5 9.7 | 61 | 5.3 11.4 19.9 28.10 | 178 | West Coast | 117 | 40,460 |
| 12 | R21 | 30 July 2000 | 1.3 4.4 9.8 15.11 | 101 | 5.2 9.6 12.8 15.10 | 100 | Fremantle | 1 | 37,573 |
| 13 | R4 | 21 April 2001 | 1.3 5.6 10.8 13.10 | 88 | 3.4 7.9 9.14 16.16 | 112 | West Coast | 24 | 38,804 |
| 14 | R19 | 12 August 2001 | 0.3 2.4 5.7 9.10 | 64 | 2.4 5.5 10.9 14.14 | 98 | West Coast | 34 | 41,285 |
| 15 | R1 | 31 March 2002 | 4.4 8.7 11.9 18.10 | 118 | 6.1 9.5 16.6 21.11 | 137 | West Coast | 19 | 39,467 |
| 16 | R16 | 20 July 2002 | 3.1 5.5 10.7 15.10 | 100 | 5.0 6.1 7.3 11.4 | 70 | Fremantle | 30 | 41,779 |
| 17 | R5 | 27 April 2003 | 2.1 4.3 8.7 10.13 | 73 | 5.4 8.9 12.10 16.12 | 108 | West Coast | 35 | 41,654 |
| 18 | R22 | 30 August 2003 | 4.2 6.6 12.10 14.12 | 96 | 4.2 7.4 9.9 11.16 | 82 | Fremantle | 14 | 43,027 |
| 19 | R6 | 1 May 2004 | 4.1 7.3 11.8 12.11 | 83 | 3.2 7.5 9.5 11.7 | 73 | Fremantle | 10 | 42,135 |
| 20 | R21 | 22 August 2004 | 2.2 3.4 5.8 6.9 | 45 | 5.1 7.10 9.14 13.15 | 93 | West Coast | 48 | 41,907 |
| 21 | R3 | 9 April 2005 | 2.4 7.6 9.7 12.8 | 80 | 2.4 3.9 7.14 12.16 | 88 | West Coast | 8 | 42,027 |
| 22 | R20 | 12 August 2005 | 2.1 5.2 7.4 12.8 | 80 | 5.4 12.7 18.11 19.14 | 128 | West Coast | 48 | 40,720 |
| 23 | R6 | 6 May 2006 | 4.4 7.8 10.11 12.16 | 88 | 3.5 7.6 10.8 12.11 | 83 | Fremantle | 5 | 42,213 |
| 24 | R21 | 27 August 2006 | 4.1 8.5 14.8 18.10 | 118 | 4.3 4.8 4.11 8.13 | 61 | Fremantle | 57 | 43,527 |
| 25 | R3 | 14 April 2007 | 1.2 4.4 8.4 11.4 | 70 | 4.1 6.6 9.11 14.17 | 101 | West Coast | 31 | 42,051 |
| 26 | R18 | 5 August 2007 | 5.3 9.4 13.7 19.10 | 124 | 2.4 6.7 11.8 14.13 | 97 | Fremantle | 27 | 43,096 |
| 27 | R3 | 5 April 2008 | 3.2 8.5 10.8 12.15 | 87 | 3.5 5.9 8.10 10.13 | 73 | Fremantle | 14 | 39,027 |
| 28 | R18 | 3 August 2008 | 9.2 13.5 17.10 17.14 | 116 | 4.1 6.6 10.7 12.11 | 83 | Fremantle | 33 | 42,096 |
| 29 | R6 | 2 May 2009 | 3.2 4.2 8.7 13.9 | 87 | 4.6 6.13 8.13 9.20 | 74 | Fremantle | 13 | 41,654 |
| 30 | R17 | 25 July 2009 | 3.4 6.8 7.9 10.11 | 71 | 1.4 5.9 6.14 8.18 | 66 | Fremantle | 5 | 39,536 |
| 31 | R6 | 2 May 2010 | 4.2 7.4 10.7 17.9 | 111 | 4.1 8.6 8.9 10.13 | 73 | Fremantle | 38 | 40,886 |
| 32 | R18 | 1 August 2010 | 7.6 13.8 18.12 24.16 | 160 | 0.3 4.4 9.5 13.7 | 85 | Fremantle | 75 | 40,451 |
| 33 | R8 | 15 May 2011 | 2.1 3.4 6.5 9.9 | 63 | 4.1 9.5 10.9 14.12 | 96 | West Coast | 33 | 40,567 |
| 34 | R18 | 24 July 2011 | 2.3 3.6 6.7 9.10 | 64 | 1.6 3.7 6.14 8.17 | 65 | West Coast | 1 | 41,055 |
Round 21, 2000
An infamous derby occurred in round 21, 2000. Both clubs were out of finals contention, the derby earlier in the year had recorded the biggest ever margin (Scott CummingsScott Cummings
Scott Cummings is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Essendon, Port Adelaide, the West Coast Eagles and Collingwood in the Australian Football League....
' 10 goals led West Coast to a 117 point win) and in the lead up both teams were talking down the importance of the game with the standard line of "it's only worth 4 points". However, Clive Waterhouse
Clive Waterhouse
Clive Waterhouse is a former Australian rules footballer. He played in the Australian Football League for the Fremantle Football Club as a half-forward flanker...
indicated that something different might happen by saying that "blood would be spilled".
Before the first bounce, West Coast, through Michael Gardiner
Michael S. Gardiner
Michael S. Gardiner is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League. He played for the West Coast Eagles from 1997–2006 and the St Kilda Football Club from 2007–2011.- Early life :...
, went on the attack, pushing and shoving first year player Matthew Pavlich
Matthew Pavlich
Matthew Pavlich is a professional Australian rules footballer currently playing with the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
. The umpires awarded a free kick to Pavlich before the ball was bounced. However West Coast settled and led by four goals at quarter time with goals to Phillip Read, Andrew Embley
Andrew Embley
Andrew Embley is an Australian rules footballer currently playing for the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League.-Early life:Andrew Embley was born to Maurice and Anne Embley on 27 June, 1981, in Perth, Western Australia...
and three to Phil Matera. Fremantle's forward line was struggling, with only 4 goals to half time, including two to Waterhouse, and singles to midfielders Heath Black
Heath Black
Heath Black is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Australian Football League .The 177 cm wingman is noted for his speed and long left foot kicking. Beginning his career in 1997 he was seen as a bright prospect and several years down the track that has been proven correct...
and Troy Cook
Troy Cook
Troy Cook is an Australian rules footballer. Cook plays for the Perth Football Club in the West Australian Football League.-Early career:...
, while two goals to Mitchell White
Mitchell White
Mitchell White is an Australian rules football player.Along with Glen Jakovich, White was a priority draft choice from WA in 1990. In 1996 he was outstanding after being switched to center half forward after being a defender for his whole career...
, a fourth goal for Matera and one to Chad Morrison
Chad Morrison
Chad Morrison is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.Drafted to the West Coast Eagles as a compensatory pick in the 1995 Pre-Season Draft, Morrison made his debut as an eighteen year old in Round 1 against Fremantle in 1996, after staying in Melbourne to finish year 12...
in the second quarter saw West Coast go to the half-time break a comfortable 32 points in front. During the break, a brawl broke out which cleared both team's benches and resulted in one of longest tribunal records in recent times.
In the third quarter, Phil Matera kicked his 5th goal, bringing the Eagles lead to 42 points, but Fremantle surged to cut the margin to 18 points at three quarter time with three goals to Clive Waterhouse and singles to Pavlich and Daniel Bandy
Daniel Bandy
Daniel Bandy is a former Australian rules footballer. He played as a ruckman for Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League . He last played for West Australian Football League club Claremont in 2007....
.
The last quarter saw Phil Matera carried from the ground on a stretcher after a hard collision with umpire Steven Handley
Steven Handley
Steven Handley is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong in the AFL during the 1990s.Handley started his career in the Gold Coast at Southport where he was a member of premiership sides in 1989 and 1990. He played some reserves games with the Brisbane Bears before moving to...
, and a solid but legal shirtfront by Troy Cook also saw Mitchell White carried from the ground on a stretcher. A six goal to three final quarter, including another two to Waterhouse and singles to Koops, Shipp, and ironically Kickett and Dodd saw Fremantle hit the lead by two points. With only seconds to spare the Eagles pushed forward and a loose ball was unable to be gathered in by makeshift forward Darren Glass
Darren Glass
Darren Glass is an Australian rules footballer for the AFL's West Coast Eagles. He wears number 23 guernsey.He was recruited as the number 11 draft pick in the 1999 AFL Draft from Perth...
, resulting in a rushed behind
Rushed behind
In Australian rules football, a rushed behind occurs when the ball passes through the goalposts and was last touched by a defending player. It is similar to an own goal in other sports....
and a one point victory for Fremantle, only their 2nd ever in a Western Derby.
The following suspensions and fines were handed out as a result of the brawl:
- Dale KickettDale KickettDale Mathew Kickett is a former Australian rules footballer. He is one of only three players, and the only living person to have played for five clubs in the Australian Football League.-Early career:...
was suspended for a total of 9 matches for striking Phillip Read twice and striking Andrew Embley once. - Michael GardinerMichael S. GardinerMichael S. Gardiner is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League. He played for the West Coast Eagles from 1997–2006 and the St Kilda Football Club from 2007–2011.- Early life :...
was suspended for 2 matches for striking Matthew PavlichMatthew PavlichMatthew Pavlich is a professional Australian rules footballer currently playing with the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
. - Brad DoddBrad DoddBrad Dodd is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League .Dodd was originally rookie drafted by the Fremantle Football Club in 1997 from East Fremantle in the West Australian Football League and was elevated to the senior list in 1998, where he made his debut against...
was suspended for 2 matches for attempting to strike Phillip Read, while Read was suspended for 2 matches for striking Dodd in retaliation. - Seven players from Fremantle (Heath BlackHeath BlackHeath Black is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Australian Football League .The 177 cm wingman is noted for his speed and long left foot kicking. Beginning his career in 1997 he was seen as a bright prospect and several years down the track that has been proven correct...
, Paul HaslebyPaul HaslebyPaul Hasleby is a former Australian rules footballer. He played for the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League and the and South Fremantle Football Clubs in the West Australian Football League...
, Shaun McManusShaun McManusShaun John McManus is a former Australian rules footballer. He is one of the most popular players to ever represent the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League and is often seen as an icon or favourite son of the club...
, Clem MichaelClem MichaelClem Anthony Michael is a former Australian Rules football player in the Australian Football League for the Fremantle Football Club from 1998 to 2000...
, Jason NorrishJason NorrishJason Norrish is an Australian rules footballer. Norrish plays as a defensive midfielder and began his football career at the Claremont Tigers.-Early career:...
, Jess SinclairJess SinclairJess Sinclair is an Australian rules footballer who formerly played in the Australian Football League, Sinclair was a dashing half back flanker who had played for first the Fremantle Dockers, and later the Kangaroos.-Fremantle career:...
and Andrew ShippAndrew ShippAndrew Shipp is an Australian rules footballer who played for the Fremantle Dockers between 1999 and 2002. He was drafted from Springvale in the VFL as the 64th selection in the 1998 AFL Draft and played mainly as a forward....
) and five players from West Coast (Ben CousinsBen CousinsBenjamin Luke "Ben" Cousins is a former Australian rules footballer, best known for his 270-game career with and in the Australian Football League ....
, Andrew Embley, Kane MunroKane MunroKane Ashley Munro is an Australian rules footballer who played with the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League ....
, Michael Gardiner and Phillip Read) were reported for melee involvement. Embley was found not guilty; the remaining players were fined between $2000 and $4000.
The following week both teams were well beaten, with Fremantle beaten by Brisbane by 107 points at the Gabba and Melbourne winning by 70 points over the Eagles at Subiaco.
Round 3, 2007
The round 3, 2007 match will be remembered as one of the most controversial and spiteful derbies ever played. Nearing three-quarter time, Fremantle's Des HeadlandDes Headland
Desmond "Des" Headland, Jr is an Australian rules footballer currently playing for Subiaco in the West Australian Football League. He plays as a half-forward flanker or midfielder. Headland was selected with the first overall draft pick in the 1998 AFL Draft by the Brisbane Lions...
was reported by umpire Stuart Wenn
Stuart Wenn
Stuart Wenn is an Australian rules football field umpire in the Australian Football League. He has umpired 193 career games in the AFL.-Famous matches and reports:...
for striking and wrestling with West Coast's Adam Selwood
Adam Selwood
Adam Murray Selwood is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League.-Career:...
, who made an inappropriate comment about a tattoo on Headland's arm which depicted the Fremantle player's six-year-old daughter.
The case was heard on 18 April, with Selwood cleared of using abusive language towards Headland. Headland was found guilty of both striking and wrestling with Selwood, but was not suspended because of "exceptional and compelling circumstances by way of provocation".
West Coast won this match by 31 points, and Michael Braun was awarded the Ross Glendinning Medal, ending his acceptance speech with "Let's have a fucking good year", which was broadcast on live television and to the 42,551 in attendance. Braun was fined $500 by the Eagles, but the AFL intervened, severely reprimanded the Eagles and fined Braun $5000.
In the lead up to Selwood's Mothers' Day round 7 match against Geelong
Geelong Football Club
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
, Selwood officially apologized to women, and claimed that he didn't mean what he had said to Headland four weeks earlier. Paradoxically, he also claimed that he was badly treated by the media because he was innocent of the charges in the Headland saga and he should have just been allowed to prove his innocence. West Coast would go on to lose its first game for season 2007 by 39 points against the eventual premiers Geelong.
Source: Stats.rleague.com
Round 18, 2011
The closest finish to a derby occurred in Round 18, 2011 when Eagles midfielder Matt RosaMatt Rosa
Matthew "Matt" Rosa is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League .He is a midfielder who was recruited as the number 29 draft pick in the 2004 AFL Draft from North Ballarat. Rosa made his debut for the West Coast Eagles in Round 17, 2005 against the Sydney Swans...
was penalised by umpire Dean Margetts in a deliberate out of bounds decision with West Coast leading by two points in the dying seconds. Having earnt a free kick from the decision, Hayden Ballantyne
Hayden Ballantyne
Hayden Ballantyne is an Australian rules footballer, who was selected by Fremantle in the 2008 AFL Draft. He was recruited from Peel Thunder in the WAFL...
had a chance to win the game for Fremantle with a shot after the siren from 50m out on a tight angle and whilst his drop punt looked a goal for much of its journey, it hit the padding on the right hand goalpost amid a sea of hands from both sides, leaving the Eagles the winners by a single point, 8.17 (65) to Fremantle's 9.10 (64).
This proved to be the catalyst for both sides as the season wound down. Fremantle slid down the ladder, losing the next six matches in succession to end a disappointing season, whilst West Coast went on to win their remaining regular season matches. It must be noted that West Coast had lost the week before against whilst Fremantle defeated away in Sydney.