Eagles set new derby record as Josh Kennedy shines against Freo

West Coast powered to a record 10th consecutive Western Derby win, beating Fremantle by 30 points in Josh Kennedy’s 250th match.

Sean Darcy of the Dockers and Nic Naitanui of the Eagles contest the ruck at Optus Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

West Coast powered to a record 10th consecutive Western Derby win on Sunday night, beating Fremantle by 30 points in forward Josh Kennedy’s 250th match.

In their return to Optus Stadium and in front of a crowd of 25,306, the Eagles put their Queensland hub experience behind them to win 9.8 (62) to 5.2 (32).

They surpassed the nine-game winning run set by Mick Malthouse’s Eagles in the 1990s and took their record to 4-3 in an ominous sign the 2018 premiers are making their move.

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Fremantle, playing their first home game this season, are yet to win a Derby at their Optus Stadium home and were disappointing after quarter-time in new coach Justin Longmuir’s first game in charge in front of a home crowd.

Captain Luke Shuey was withdrawn pre-game after failing in his bid to return from a hamstring injury, but his absence was soaked up easily by the Eagles’ stars.

Tim Kelly is getting better every week at his second club and the former Cat was creative at the coalface, winning five clearances from his 18 possessions and setting the Eagles up to win the territory battle.

West Coast’s Josh Kennedy is congratulated by teammates after being announced best on ground against Fremantle at Optus Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

He was supported by Elliot Yeo (20 and seven clearances), while ruckman Nic Naitanui (22 hit-outs and six clearances) had the better of Sean Darcy and was instrumental at ground level.

The addition of Kelly led many to believe the Eagles had the best midfield in the competition and Adam Simpson’s onballers look ready to make a statement.

Fremantle tall Matt Taberner was the most dangerous tall on the ground in the first quarter, kicking two goals and controlling the air.

He had the Dockers looking dangerous and in the game, but when the supply dried up in the second term and he drifted out of the match, the Eagles’ talls took their turn.

Kennedy, Jack Darling and Jake Waterman all kicked goals as the Eagles opened up a 15-point break at the main change, and Kennedy kicked on to finish with four in a best-on-ground performance in his milestone game.

The champion big man showed his class in the final term by slotting a set shot right after opponents Taberner and Rory Lobb had missed gettable opportunities at the other end.

Fremantle star Michael Walters attended almost every centre bounce, robbing the Dockers of his dangerous edge in attack but ensuring the young team were competitive in the middle.

Standing in as captain for the injured Nat Fyfe, Walters had 18 disposals and three clearances, but he went goalless for just the second time this season.

It was a young Freo midfield, with Adam Cerra, Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong regulars in the centre square.

Brayshaw was the pick of the young crew. If there is a silver lining for the Dockers in the absence of their hamstrung skipper, it is the way Brayshaw has lifted and shown the leadership he was known for through his junior career.