Nic Naitanui shows his worth as reigning premier West Coast flexes its muscle against hapless Freo

Finals contender Fremantle could only manage two goals in a forgettable western derby showing, crashing to a record low score against fierce rival West Coast.

Luke Shuey high fives Nic Naitanui during the 85-point rout. Pic: Getty Images

The 30 minutes and 14 seconds of the second quarter last night didn’t just condemn Fremantle to a record-equalling ninth consecutive western derby loss.

West Coast’s masterclass in stoppage control and efficiency in attack was a warning from the reigning premiers to the rest of the competition.

If you think we were tough to beat last year, then good luck now we have got Nic Naitanui back to operate under the 6-6-6 rule. West Coast kicked 11 goals to none from stoppages, including four directly out of the centre square in the second term rout.

The Eagles piled on 8.2 to 0.5 in the second stanza, as their lead exploded out to nine goals by halftime.

They kept the foot down to record a 91-point victory at Optus Stadium, 19.8 (122) to 2.19 (31).

The Dockers kicked just two goals from 25 shots at goal, their accuracy of eight per cent the lowest ever recorded by Champion Data.

It was the second-biggest margin in derby history and eclipsed the 85-point margin in the first ever derby in 1995. The Dockers’ score was the lowest from either team in the 50 meetings between the bitter rivals.

Remarkably, the lopsided score line came despite Fremantle winning the inside-50 count 60-50.

West Coast defender Brad Sheppard was superb and won his first Glendinning-Allan Medal for an outing that included 25 disposals and 11 rebound 50s.

Crowd villain Andrew Gaff also featured in the voting after he had a game-high 34 touches and six clearances, while forwards Jack Darling, Jamie Cripps and Jarrod Cameron kicked four goals each.

Youngster Darcy Tucker had 29 disposals and seven clearances amid the carnage for the Dockers.

The sight of Naitanui and returning veteran Aaron Sandilands going at it to start the derby was a special one, though it wasn’t their aerial battle that would prove decisive.

The pair often nullified each other in their ruck duels but it was Naitanui’s ability to follow up his own work at ground level, as well as provide pressure around the ground, that proved pivotal.

Brad Sheppard outpoints Nat Fyfe in the big win. Pic: Getty Images

Despite his limited game time, Naitanui was the most influential ruckman on the ground in a four-cornered battle that featured him and Tom Hickey against Sandilands and Rory Lobb.

West Coast’s second-term goal rush came despite the Dockers generating 16 inside 50s to 13. There are entries and there are entries and the type generated straight out of the centre square under the 6-6-6 starting zones rule are worth their weight in gold.

The Eagles won the centre-square clearance battle 6-3 in the decisive second term.

Third-gamer Cameron was a major beneficiary, kicking three goals from three kicks for the term.

Two of them came from free kicks that wouldn’t have pleased the mainly purple crowd of 56,358 He received a fortunate free kick after Luke Ryan was penalised for a dumping tackle and was also on the spot when Ethan Hughes stepped backwards over the boundary line in the pocket and was pinged for deliberate.

Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe, who finished with 21 touches, was being well held by Elliot Yeo as the pair resumed their personal rivalry and Fyfe had more to worry about when he was forced from the ground in the second quarter with a shoulder problem.

Jarrod Cameron is congratulated by teammates after one of his goals. Pic: AAP

Gaff had 19 of his disposals and four clearances in a quality first-half display, with most of them accompanied by boos as he played in front of a Fremantle crowd for the first time since punching Andrew Brayshaw in round 20 last season.

The shellacking continued in the third term as small forwards Cameron and Cripps each kicked their fourth, before Michael Walters ended the run of 12 West Coast majors with a set shot goal. It also ended a run of 11 behinds from the Dockers since quarter time.

Sandilands called it a day at three-quarter time and spent time in the final term riding an exercise bike wearing a jacket.

The 36-year-old ruckman might have been done but the Eagles weren’t and they kicked another five goals to none in the final term to extend the margin.

LYON WON’T PANIC AFTER DERBTY DISASTER

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon insists it’s not time to panic despite his team suffering one of their worst ever western derby losses.

The Dockers were made to pay dearly for poor forward entries and wayward goalkicking during their 91-point AFL loss to West Coast on Saturday night. Fremantle won the inside 50m count 60-50, but lost the match 19.8 (122) to 2.19 (31) on a dark dayfor the club.

It was Fremantle’s second biggest loss to West Coast, and has put a major dagger through their finals hopes.

Three straight losses have left Fremantle (7-8) a win adrift of eighth spot ahead of a challenging clash with Hawthorn in Launceston.

Saturday’s loss was Fremantle’s first big defeat of the year, and has raised alarm bells among fans, especially following on from the shock home loss to Carlton.

But Lyon is adamant the team has made major strides from last year, saying recent injuries to key forwards Jesse Hogan, Matt Taberner, and Rory Lobb have taken its toll.

“There’s certainly no panic stations,” Lyon said.

“I don’t think anyone expected us to go through undefeated.

“Our average losing margin was 50 points last year. It’s 11 this season (before the derby loss) and we’ve been in every game.

“I’ve been really proud of the group’s effort up until this point. But all of us — coaches and players — we wear this.

“I’m not here to defend the indefensible. I don’t think we turned it up. But it was a bit deceptive, the numbers.” Lyon says he will consider making a statement on the selection front ahead of the crunch clash with Hawthorn.

Ruckman Aaron Sandilands, who was well beaten by Nic Naitanui, will be rested against the Hawks to make way for Sean Darcy’sreturn.

Sandilands, playing his first game in more than a year, finished with 18 hitouts from eight disposals against the Eagles.

Naitanui was influential in the win, tallying 23 hitouts, six clearances, 14 disposals and a game-high three score assists.

Lyon rested Sandilands in the final quarter given the result was well and truly beyond doubt.

“We didn’t want to make a really bad night worse,” Lyon said of the decision. “Aaron — I thought he did his bit. But Nic’sfollow-up was super.”

Dockers skipper Nat Fyfe injured his shoulder in the second quarter, but was able to play out the match.

Hogan has resumed running again following his recent foot injury, but Lyon is unsure when exactly the former Demon will becleared to return.

— AAP

Michael Walters and Luke Shuey tangle. Pic: AAP

WEST COAST 2.5 10.7 14.7 19.8 (122) def FREMANTLE 1.2 1.7 2.14 2.19 (31)

Goals: West Coast: J Cameron 4 J Cripps 4 J Darling 4 T Hickey 2 B Ah Chee C Masten E Yeo L Shuey W Rioli

Fremantle: C McCarthy M Walters

Braden Quartermaine’s Best: West Coast:

Sheppard, Gaff, Naitanui, Shuey, Sheed, Hurn, Cripps, Cameron

Fremantle: Tucker, Walters, Mundy, Fyfe

Umpires: Jacob Mollison, Leigh Fisher, Nathan Williamson

Official Crowd: 56,358 at Optus Stadium

BRADEN QUARTERMAINE’S VOTES:

3 — Brad Sheppard (WC)

2 — Andrew Gaff (WC)

1 — Nic Naitanui (WC)