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In the lead up to RAC Derby 58 Fremantle midfielder Hayden Young expressed his excitement to make an impact on field as the Club eyes off a sixth straight victory over the Eagles. 

“Every RAC Derby I’ve played in so far has been great,” Young said to the media Monday morning. 

“There’s always a great atmosphere leading into the week, on gameday and the crowd’s always electric.

“Hopefully we can get on top in there and get the win.

10:59

'The RAC Derby is massive and we all know that' | Hayden Young

Youngy spoke to media today following the teams return to Perth and ahead of the upcoming RAC Derby against the Eagles

Acknowledging the significance of the RAC Derby, Young emphasised that the fixture was beyond just another game on the schedule. 

“It is another game, but it also isn’t. It’s Western Australia and the RAC Derby is massive, and we all know that,” Young said.

“I’m not a West Australian originally but I’ve learned to love this sort of game and love the atmosphere it brings.

“I’ve been lucky enough to win a few and after the game it’s a great feeling to win a RAC Derby.”

Young’s first RAC Derby was in round 22 of 2021, when the then 20-year-old helped snap a 11 game RAC Derby losing streak dating back to 2015, with a 15-point victory over the Eagles. 

07:59

AFL highlights | Rd 22 v West Coast Eagles

Fremantle and West Coast clash in the RAC derby in round 22

Since then, Young has played in five RAC Derbies, bolstering a 100 per cent win record with his most recent appearance featuring a 25 disposals and eight tackles outing.

“Probably my first RAC Derby has been my favourite… I feel like back then we were sort of the underdogs and that was our first win in a long time I believe,” Young said. 

“It went down to the wire late and we were able to get over the top… it was a pretty fun memory.”

Reflecting on the Club’s two narrow losses during the trip away in South Australia, Young emphasised the importance of learning from the setbacks as they prepare to meet with the Eagles who are coming off a strong win at home. 

“To go all the way, you are going to have to learn these hard lessons,”

- Hayden Young

“It’s not always going to be sunshine and rainbows all the time, so it is disappointing (the two defeats), but we can take a lot of confidence out of those performances and hopefully learn a lot.”

As the anticipation builds towards RAC Derby 58, fans can expect an enthralling contest with both Club’s hungry for victory. Bouncedown will commence at 6.10pm WST at Optus Stadium on Saturday 20 April.