Dockers captain Nat Fyfe misses Eagles derby through injury

A record in Western Australia’s biggest game is on the line on Sunday night in Perth.

Jack Redden leads the way during a West Coast training session ahead of the 51st derby agains Fremantle at Perth’s Optus Stadium on Sunday. Picture: Getty Images

A record in Western Australia’s biggest game is on the line on Sunday night in Perth, but there is far more at stake than continuing a derby streak, West Coast coach Adam Simpson said.

The Eagles are chasing a record tenth straight win in their 51st derby against the Dockers and received a bonus when Fremantle’s dual-Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

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Both Fremantle and West Coast struggled initially in the Queensland hub but finished their stints on the Gold Coast with successive wins to remain in touch with the eight.

In an abridged season, Simpson said the next month was critical to the finals hopes of the Eagles, who were listed as equal favourites for the premiership this week despite sitting tenth.

This is more to do with the likelihood the Eagles will play as many as seven matches in succession at Optus Stadium after helping the season get off the ground by agreeing to head to Queensland.

“The next month is going to be huge in terms of how the ladder shapes,” he said.

“This week is an important game for both clubs as it keeps you in touch with the eight and it keeps momentum going for both clubs. It is going to be game on.”

The Eagles and Fremantle shared accommodation in southeast Queensland, but that does not mean there will be any easing off in ferocity in what is traditionally a keenly contested affair between the bitter rivals.

“We did spend a month together, but we didn’t really hang out too much,” Simpson said. “It wasn’t like we all sat around the fire pit down at the bottom of the hotel and shared stories. The rivalry hasn’t changed.”

Fremantle have the benefit of hosting the derby, with the majority of the 30,000 fans in attendance on Sunday night expected to be Dockers fans.

While that is an advantage for Fremantle, who were competitive in the opening five matches without recording a victory before notching two successive wins under new coach Justin Longmuir, Simpson expects the presence of fans to sharpen the focus of his players.

“It really elevates your anticipation and the environment at an oval when there is 30,000 there,” he said.

“It is so much different compared to when there are no one … albeit they will be booing us this week.”

Fremantle has named Michael Frederick, who was selected with pick 61 in last year’s national draft, to debut in the derby.

The dashing South Australian wingman said he grew up thinking “how cool it would be to play” in a derby when watching from afar. Frederick is one of two inclusions for the Dockers alongside defender Brennan Cox.