RAC Derby 59 started with a first-half arm wrestle that saw Fremantle 13 points down going into the main break, but a professional second-half performance saw the Club take control of the contest to outscore West Coast by 48 points to run away 35-point winners.

“That first half was looking a bit like the last RAC Derby when the pressure was up, and we weren’t quite backing and trusting ourselves enough,” pressure forward Tom Emmett said on the Final Siren Podcast.

“We weren’t driving legs and weren’t testing the tackle.

“The way that we reacted to that and turned it to get the game on our terms in the second half probably shows the maturity of the group compared to last year.”

Fremantle did just that in the third quarter setting the Club up to control the rest of the game after a five-goal to one behind term.

“The way we came out in that third quarter… the pressure and ability to connect with each other was great,” Emmett said.

“Sometimes the offensive stuff we can’t control, so if we can just bring the intensity and control all the things that we can control then we are doing our job,” fellow Freo forward Sam Sturt added.

Reward for effort was evident as Emmett kicked an equal game-high three goals (alongside teammates Josh Treacy and Michael Frederick) in his first game back in the senior side since the Club’s round 11 draw with Collingwood.

The pressure forward was quick to not take the spotlight, crediting his teammates for creating the scoring opportunities for him.

“I was just lucky to get on the end of a few. It was nice,” Emmett said.

“I thought we reacted really well and that shows the maturity of the group.”

The win moves Fremantle to third on the AFL ladder, setting up a blockbuster meeting with Essendon at the MCG on Sunday 4 August.