The biggest game in the state is back, with Fremantle hosting the West Coast Eagles this Sunday 2 April at Optus Stadium in the first RAC Derby of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership season. Bouncedown for the clash will be at 3.20pm.

GETTING TO OPTUS STADIUM
Your footy ticket includes travel on all Transperth services for three hours either side of the match, so be prepared and ensure you plan your journey ahead with Transperth’s Journey Planner, please click here for further information. If asked, show your ticket to the driver or inspector. Keep in mind, you must have your football ticket or membership on you to travel for no extra cost.

For the safety of all patrons, we encourage all attendees to ensure they are well aware of the above points, prior to attending the game. If you have a family or linked account, please pass this information on to all attending.

TICKETING INFORMATION
Members with reserved seats can access their tickets through the Fremantle Dockers linked to their MyFreo account. Instructions are available for both Android (here) and iPhone users (here). Pass holders who have redeemed or upgraded can access their tickets through the Ticketmaster app.

The Fremantle membership team will be at Gate B and E for assistance with en

try and general enquiries. For more information about general ticketing, corporate ticketing and memberships, please see the button below.

SENSORY ROOM

The Purple Hands Foundation and Fremantle Football Club in collaboration with The Autism Association of Western Australia are delivering a Sensory Room launching in 2023. The Sensory Room provides opportunities for individuals with a disability to access a quiet space during Fremantle Dockers home games at Optus Stadium. The room is for people with sensory needs, open to children and adults and individuals with a disability will be prioritised.

To find out more information about the room, who it is for and how to register please click here.

HELP US, HELP YOU
Report anti-social behaviour to Stadium Staff immediately or text 0409 317 771.

KEY TIMES
1pm - Purple Playground opens
1.15pm - Membership services available at gate B and E
1.30pm - Gates open
2.35pm – 2.50pm - On-field warm-up
3.06pm - Fremantle team entry
3.20pm - Bounce down

MATCH DAY ENTERTAINMENT

PRE-GAME

Player Signing Station
Head over to the Bankwest Shipping Container near the Southern Oval from 2.15pm-2.45pm to meet some of your favourite players.

RAC Derby Road Safety Quiz
Speeding remains a leading cause of road trauma in WA and even small increases in driving speed can have a huge impact on the outcome of a crash. Change your speed, Change your outcome.

Take our RAC Derby Road Safety Quiz for your chance to win a $1000 RAC Parks and Resorts voucher!

Inflatable Obstacle Course and Super Goals
Located on the Southern Oval, outside gate D are inflatable obstacle courses including inflatable basketball and super goals.

Triple M Footy Fun
Triple M rocks footy and they’ll also be rocking the Southern Oval on game day. Test out your handball skills, take part in Triple M’s Giant Pong Challenge or spin the wheel to win some awesome giveaways.

Airbrush Tattoo
Our airbrush tattoo station will be located near Lobby 101.

RAC Rescue Helicopter Fly Over
Our Derby partner RAC has been a proud supporter of the RAC Rescue helicopter service for almost 20 years. We are incredibly lucky to have the helicopter crew join us at our match, so keep your eyes peeled and wave as they fly over Optus Stadium.

The RAC Rescue helicopters, are funded

by the State Government and managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and are just one example of how RAC helps keep the community safe.

QUARTER TIME

Race The Footy
In 2023 Freo fans have the chance to Race the Footy, thanks to Macca’s. If you and a mate would like the chance to Race the Footy register below.

HALF TIME

Maccas Pump Up Tune
Keep an eye out on your Freo Dockers app pregame and vote for the Maccas half time Pump Up Tune for your chance to win a game ball.

Best Seats in the House
At half-time, be in your seats and have your phone ready for your chance to win one of three double passes into Bankwest’s best seats in the house at the RAC Derby game on 2 April. Winners will receive:

• 2 x tickets for the best seats in the house (located in the Bankwest Club)
• Food and beverage during the event including your choice of burger and chips, ice cream and selected wine, beer, cider and non-alcoholic refreshments
• A merchandise pack
• VIP service from a dedicated Optus Stadium attendant
• Access to the Bankwest Club

Arrive early and avoid delays
Having your digital ticket ready prior to arrival and get to the stadium early will ensure you are not caught in long queues outside the stadium in the lead up to the game. The scanner to scan your digital ticket(s) is located to the right of the turnstile entry gates, then enter on the left. Please do not bring bags larger than an A4 piece of paper.

Leave your cash at home
Optus Stadium is currently a cashless venue meaning you will need to pay using EFTPOS at all food and beverage outlets.

Optus Stadium Restaurants and Catering
The City View Cafe will be OPEN. However, the Goodwood restaurant will be CLOSED.

The Freo Clubhouse
The Freo Clubhouse in River View Rooms and Sky View Lounge will be open for the RAC Derby, however you will need to show your ticket stating room access to receive entry.

Other key points:

• No cloaking facilities available. Don't bring bulky items.
• Practice good hand hygiene.
• If you feel unwell or have experienced any COVID-19 symptoms during the two weeks prior to this weekend’s game, please DO NOT attend. If you begin to feel ill whilst at the game, please make sure to notify an Optus Stadium representative immediately and follow the directions of any venue, club or AFL staff.

If you have any questions or require further assistance, please contact the membership services team on (08) 9433 7111 or at membership@fremantlefc.com.au. 

Fremantle has ignited its season with a dramatic win against an injury-hit West Coast, finding its turbo button and clicking forward of centre to win RAC Derby 56 by 41 points at Optus Stadium.

Inspired by Glendinning-Allan Medal winner Caleb Serong, the Dockers won 16.12 (108) to 9.13 (67), kicking their highest score since round 17 last season and leaving reigning premier Geelong as the only winless team after three rounds this season. 

The margin did not reflect the high drama at Optus Stadium, as the Eagles showed great resilience to hold on with one fit player on the bench after injuries to Luke Shuey (hamstring), Jeremy McGovern (hamstring), Liam Ryan (leg), Jamie Cripps (leg) and Alex Witherden (head knock).

The dam wall burst in the final quarter, however, as Fremantle piled on the last six goals of the game in a reward for the attacking game style they implemented in the most entertaining RAC Derby for years. 

Serong was exceptional in the midfield, finishing with 35 possessions (16 contested), eight clearances and a game-high 12 inside 50s to win his second Glendinning-Allan Medal.

Small forward Sam Switkowski was the shot of life the team needed in the centre with 21 disposals, an equal game-high 10 score involvements and two goals, giving Freo the speed they have missed.

Michael Walters booted a game-high four goals in his first full match of the season after returning as the substitute last week, while ruckmen Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson gave the team a dominant advantage in hit-outs (69-16).

The Eagles' ability to fight on under duress was admirable, particularly in the third quarter as they restricted Fremantle to one goal and cut the margin to eight points at the final change. 

They were best served by in-form midfielder Tim Kelly (33 disposals and five clearances), while Andrew Gaff (28 and four inside 50s) produced an improved performance as an accountable midfielder. 

Fremantle has put a focus on starting games fast and physical but failed to deliver in the opening two rounds. They were jumped briefly by the Eagles on Sunday but lifted to match them in the highest-scoring opening quarter in Derby history.

Oscar Allen was the star early, flying for marks and kicking three goals, including two from beyond 50m, while Shuey was the dangerman in the middle with three clearances and two goal assists from six disposals coming off the back of the centre square.

Both teams played a frantic style that was handball heavy, using their runners and looking for the corridor, with Michael Walters' second goal cutting the margin to one point at the first break.

Fremantle made their defining move in the second quarter, kicking four unanswered goals to open a 22-point half-time margin through the speed of runners like Michael Frederick, Switkowski and Walters, who all kicked goals.

The third term was a slog as the Eagles clung on with one fit player on the bench for much of the term, drawing on all their grit and determination to win the quarter by 14 points and keep the game alive.

It always felt unsustainable, however, and Freo put their foot to the floor in the last term in what should prove a confidence-boosting win that shows the team a path to its best football.

Variety is the key for Freo unicorn
Jackson had three different roles for the first three centre bounces on Sunday, setting the tone for his first RAC Derby as a Freo Docker. He started as a ground-level midfielder at the first centre bounce, moved forward for the second, and then contested the third as a ruckman. He moved between the three roles and was more involved in the game as a result, finishing with 12 disposals, seven tackles and two goals, igniting the team four minutes in with a snap across his body. A number of potential marks went to ground on Sunday, but his increased involvement with time in the midfield was a big step forward.

FREMANTLE      5.1    9.5    10.8    16.12 (108)
WEST COAST    5.2    5.7     8.12     9.13 (67)

GOALS
Fremantle: Walters 4, Amiss 2, Switkowski 2, Jackson 2, Schultz, Frederick, Darcy, Brayshaw, Young, Frederick
West Coast: Allen 3, Darling 3, Waterman, Sheed, Hunt

BEST
Fremantle: Serong, Switkowski, Walters, Darcy, Aish, Ryan, Frederick
West Coast: Kelly, Gaff, Allen, Darling, Hurn, Ginbey 

INJURIES
Fremantle: Chapman (leg)
West Coast: McGovern (hamstring), Shuey (hamstring), Witherden (head knock), Ryan (knee), Cripps (leg) 

SUBSTITUTES
Fremantle: Matthew Johnson (replaced Heath Chapman in the third quarter)
West Coast: Elijah Hewett (replaced Luke Shuey in the second quarter) 

Crowd: 56,090 at Optus Stadium