Seven goals from Josh Kennedy has helped West Coast win the Carlton Draught Derby and stay in touch with the top four.
The Eagles were made to earn it as the Freo Dockers produced their best performance in several weeks but they were not able to keep pace after half-time.
Kennedy was the difference with six goals to three-quarter time, including three in a dominant third term to help the Eagles win 17.8 (110) to 9.10 (64). He walked away with the Ross Glendinning Medal as best afield.
Eagles midfielders Matt Priddis and Luke Shuey were outstanding all day and Chris Masten stepped up as Andrew Gaff was well held by Tommy Sheridan.
Freo led by 15 points 10 minutes into the second term but weren’t able to take their chances.
"Strong first half, I thought, and then they were able to wear us right down and get on top in the end," Dockers coach Ross Lyon said.
"We would have liked to have sustained it for longer.
"I thought our long down the line contests in the second half were costly. We couldn't halve them or win them, like we should have been able to or wanted to. But we never gave up."
Stephen Hill tried hard all day for Freo, while Sheridan did a good job on Gaff and kicked a couple of goals.
Talking points from West Coast loss
Shane Yarran was very lively up forward in just his third AFL game. He kicked two goals but could have finished with a handful had he taken all of the opportunities he created. Matthew Pavlich also kicked two in his 34th and final derby appearance.
Alex Silvagni did an excellent job on Jack Darling in defence and was required to roll over to Kennedy in the last quarter.
Freo started brightly, winning the contested possession count by 10 and the inside 50 count by five to lead by a goal at quarter-time.
They had all the momentum at the start of the second term but could not capitalise on the scoreboard. They were plus-20 in contested football at one stage and had five of the first six scores of the quarter but kicked just two goals.
"To be a good team, you've got to take those opportunities," Lyon said.
"We understand we need to improve that. That takes time, but I'm sure we're going to get there."
Ross Lyon post-match Q & A
The Eagles arrested the momentum courtesy of some resolute defence from Sheppard and Hurn and then Nic Naitanui and Shuey lifted in the midfield to help the Eagles kick four unanswered goals to set-up an 11-point lead at half-time.
But the Freo Dockers could not get the ball out of their back half in the third term and the Eagles kicked 13 of their 17 goals from turnovers.
NEXT UP
Freo host Adelaide next Sunday at Domain Stadium. The Eagles travel to Sydney off a six-day break to tackle Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium on Saturday.
FREMANTLE 3.2 5.6 7.7 9.10 (64)
WEST COAST 2.2 7.5 12.7 17.8 (110)
GOALS
Fremantle: Yarran 2, Sheridan 2, Pavlich 2, Ballantyne, Apeness, Walters
West Coast: Kennedy 7, Hill 3, LeCras 3, Hurn, Naitanui, Tunbridge, Gaff
BEST
Fremantle: Hill, Neale, Mundy, Yarran, Silvagni, Sheridan
West Coast: Kennedy, Priddis, Shuey, Hurn, McGovern, Sheppard, Masten
INJURIES
Fremantle: TBC
West Coast: TBC
Reports: TBC
Umpires: Margetts, Kamolins, Fleer
Official crowd: 36,215 at Domain Stadium
