AFL
‘Intimidating’ away day derby has Dockers veteran excited
They may feel like the away team on their home ground, but veteran Fremantle defender Luke Ryan says they will relish taking on a West Coast Eagles crowd in this weekend’s western derby.
The first derby of 2026 is set to captivate the state on Sunday, and the 62nd meeting between the two cross-town rivals is rich with storylines and narratives.
On one side is a red-hot Fremantle team who have won four of their opening five games this season to sit second on the ladder as they look to frank their simmering premiership credentials with a statement win.
Across from them lie an upstart West Coast side who have already doubled the number of wins they enjoyed last season and are desperate to claim another scalp in their rebuild in the form of a derby ambush.
But Ryan, who will play in his 16th derby if named in the Dockers’ side, said he welcomed the cauldron-like atmosphere and even gave the West Coast fans a shout-out.