Drafted following the 2015 AFL season, Darcy Tucker understood as well as anyone the importance of securing the win in Sunday’s RAC Derby.

Coming into the game, the versatile midfielder had a personal 0-9 record against West Coast, the most losses without a win of any Fremantle player.

After Freo led by up to 40 points in the second term, West Coast were charging home when they narrowed the lead to six in the final quarter.

Staring at a potential 10^th straight loss to West Coast – and Fremantle’s 12^th straight loss – Tucker stepped up with an 11-disposal final term with four contested possessions, two clearances and two tackles.

Tucker said he was elated to finally have the chance to celebrate an RAC Derby win.

“It's awesome. It's been a long time coming, obviously. I haven't won one, personally and I've played in a fair few,” Tucker said.

“It was awesome, the feeling out there when the siren went. The whole last quarter, the fans were getting behind us - to do it in front of our fans in these tough times in the past couple of years was even better.

“We knew they were going to come, they're a very good team and they've had it over us for a long time.

“In the second and third quarter, it was a bit of a ride the wave type thing and in the last quarter, they came again. It was good to say that we stuck to our plan and were able to hold on.”

Tucker said Fremantle had a number of reasons to fight for the win, highlighting David Mundy’s Club record 353^rd game and the recent retirement of Freo legend Stephen Hill.

“To get it done for Dave Mundy, equalling the record, and also for HIlly, who's been a great of our Club. There's lots of happy emotions,” Tucker said.

“Now we have to quickly move forward to next week and our season's still alive. We have a big game against St. Kilda, and hopefully, that can take us into finals.”

Tucker has played the bulk of his 15 games this season at half back, but has moved to the wing in recent weeks as Fremantle re-balance their midfield in the absence of captain Nat Fyfe.

If he stays on the wing, it means Tucker may have a reunion with former teammate Bradley Hill against the Saints.

“Half back was a new role for me and I'm trying to adjust to that. An opportunity has come to go up to the wing, so I've been playing that the last few weeks and I think I've been building,” Tucker said.

“It's a selfless role at times, the wing role, but I really enjoy it and it's good to be in wins like that.

“It would be funny playing on Bradley, we were really good mates when he was at Freo. It will be good to see him out there but once we cross the line, it's going to be on for young and old.

“It’s a very important game for us. I can't wait.”

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