An inspired West Coast has blindsided Fremantle with a 37-point win in RAC Derby 58.

In a thrilling performance that followed his Rising Star nomination, Harley Reid electrified the Optus Stadium crowd with three goals, 19 disposals and seven clearances, starring alongside Glendinning-Allan medallist Elliot Yeo in his first RAC Derby. 

The Eagles produced their best performance in years and has climbed to 14th on the ladder, prevailing 16.9 (105) to 10.8 (68) in a memorable RAC Derby 58.  

Leading by 64 points at the last change, the young team conceded six goals to two in the final term when the win was secured, claiming back-to-back victories for the first time since 2021 and ending Fremantle's five-game winning run in RAC Derbies. 

It was a brutal result for Fremantle who had returned from an extended Adelaide road trip that netted back-to-back losses by a combined 13 points, now slipping to 3-3 after winning their opening three matches of the season. 

The Eagles are now just one win behind them now on 2-4, with the club looking to trouble more teams through 2024 as it builds a contested, high-pressure game style that suits its young players. 

While Reid, who received six Medal votes, and Yeo (26 disposals, six clearances and a goal) started the fire from the midfield, key forward Jake Waterman remained a hot hand in attack, kicking five goals and taking eight marks to play the crucial role of breaking through Freo's defence. 

Jack Darling also built confidence with two goals to equal West Coast great Peter Sumich on 514 career goals. At the other end of the ground, key defenders Jeremy McGovern and Tom Barrass were terrific in the air with a combined 20 marks.  

Fremantle controlled possession throughout the opening term but missed opportunities, with the Eagles pouncing when they got their chance. A contested mark in the goalsquare to Reid got his game going, with several centre clearances following.   

Under pressure, Fremantle went into their shells and started to over-possess the ball in defence or kick long under pressure, playing further into their opponents' hands. 

The Eagles gained more belief as the second quarter continued and received a standing ovation at the main break when they were 37 points clear on the back of a committed team performance. 

There was no path back from there for Fremantle, who were humbled in front of a roaring Eagles crowd of 54,473 and face a revived Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium next Saturday night. 

Midfielder Nat Fyfe (27 disposals and 13 clearances) fought from the front, while Jordan Clark (24 and six rebounds) tried to give the team run when there was little, but Fremantle had few winners in Saturday night's RAC Derby.

Concussion forces Freo shuffle 
Young spearhead Jye Amiss was caught between key defenders Jeremy McGovern and Tom Barrass when he lost his feet deep in Fremantle's forward line, with McGovern's knee connecting with his head in an accidental collision. Teammate Michael Walters was quickly aware of the damage the hit did and directed Amiss off the ground and towards trainers, with the 20-year-old then substituted out with concussion. It changed the dynamic of Fremantle's forward line, with Sam Sturt moved into a third tall role alongside Josh Treacy and Luke Jackson, removing one of the key advantages of Sean Darcy returning. 

WEST COAST           4.1   9.4   14.9   16.9 (105)
FREMANTLE           0.3   3.3   4.5   10.8 (68) 

GOALS
West Coast: Waterman 5, Reid 3, Darling 2, Chesser, Cripps, Long, Maric, Jack Williams, Yeo  
Fremantle: Jackson 2, Sturt 2, Treacy 2, Emmett, Johnson, Sharp, Walters 

BEST 
West Coast: Yeo, Reid, Waterman, Kelly, Barrass, McGovern, Duggan  
Fremantle: Fyfe, Clark, Darcy, Brayshaw, Serong

INJURIES
West Coast: Nil
Fremantle: Amiss (concussion) 

SUBSTITUTES 
West Coast: Dom Sheed (replaced Campbell Chesser in the fourth quarter) 
Fremantle: Neil Erasmus (replaced Jye Amiss in the first quarter) 

Crowd: 54,473 at Optus Stadium