Chris Mayne

South Australia has the Showdown, Queensland the Clash but the Western Derby is considered one of the most exciting games of the entire season. Unlike other games, it doesn’t matter where the West Coast Eagles or the Fremantle Dockers are on the Ladder. The Derby is guaranteed to be a cracking, hard fought match. For the record, this time the teams were fifth and sixth on the Ladder and 41,000 fans were treated to a classic encounter.

In a season-defining win, the Richmond Tigers have come of age, defeating one of the most talented and improved sides in the AFL, the Fremantle Dockers, and recording their third victory in a row. After many seasons at the bottom of the Ladder, the young Richmond side has shown that it is heading in the right direction and that it may well upset other stronger and more experienced teams on the road to improvement.

In the second Elimination Final, the Hawthorn Hawks traveled west to take on the Fremantle Dockers. Paul Hasleby, who announced his retirement effective from the end of the season, was a surprise omission from the side.

COLLINGWOOD
Brad Dick, shoulder, 1 week
Anthony Corrie, knee, 1-2 weeks
Nick Maxwell, calf, 1-2 weeks

Rivalry Round sees the home teams pitted against each other and in Perth that means the Western Derby. Fremantle has had a lock on these games in recent times, winning the last five encounters. With their good form and the Eagles struggling to win a game, the stage was set for the Dockers to steamroll their rivals.

Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from Subiaco Oval

Port Adelaide Power traveled west in Round 19 after a crushing win over the Hawks last weekend. With their confidence high, they needed to win this game against the lowly ranked Fremantle Dockers to cement their place in the Final Eight. When the nation's two port side teams meet sparks are expected and a tough encounter is the order of the day.