Western derby 61: Fremantle at the shortest ever to beat West Coast in predicted one-sided affair
At least that is according to the bookies who have the Dockers at the shortest odds ever to beat their cross-town rivals the Eagles when they meet at Optus Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
TABTouch has Fremantle at nearly an unbackable $1.03 to get the four points against West Coast, who are paying a whopping $12 to upset the finals-bound Dockers.
The line is also at 50.5 — making this the shortest odds of any team to win a western derby in history, with the line at 42.5 for the second derby in 2022 with the Dockers also favourites. On that day it was a 24-point win to Fremantle.
The two teams could not be more polar opposites when it comes to form.
Fremantle — led by coach Justin Longmuir — have won eight of their past nine games, including away wins over premiership fancies Collingwood, as well as defeating Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney.
It has the Dockers on track to return to finals for the first time since 2022 and a genuine contender for a top-four finish, something they have not accomplished since they won the minor premiership in 2015.
Even the absence of injured skipper Alex Pearce isn't hurting their chances, with midfielders and vice-captains Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw leading the way, with the likes of Jordon Clark, Luke Jackson and Josh Treacy in career-best form.
Meanwhile, the Eagles appeared to have hit rockbottom.
They are on track for a one-win season for the first time in club history, with their only victory this season coming against St Kilda in round 10.
It means coach Andrew McQualter is likely to end his first year with a wooden spoon — a situation the Eagles have only found themselves in twice (2023 and 2010) before in their history.
And while midfield sensation Harley Reid is lighting it up, there are too many senior players sidelined for them to be competitive week-in, week-out.
Co-captain Oscar Allen is out with a knee and calf injury, while last year's All-Australians Jake Waterman (shoulder) and Jeremy McGovern (retired) as well as star midfielder Elliot Yeo (ankle) are also unavailable.
It has led McQualter to lean on a very young team that lost to 17th placed Richmond last weekend by 49 points.
And it means the derby is likely to be a one-sided affair.
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