Fremantle has sparked its season with an impressive 38-point RAC Derby win against West Coast at Optus Stadium, with star midfielder Caleb Serong creating history with a record-equalling fourth Glendinning-Allan Medal as best afield.

Under pressure following an 0-2 start to the season, Fremantle's midfield stars responded to set up the 15.16 (106) to 10.8 (68) win, with the team winning its seventh RAC Derby out of the past eight to get on the board for 2025. 
 
Freo now has the opportunity to square its season with a home clash against the Western Bulldogs as it prepares to welcome back senior stars Hayden Young and Sean Darcy over the coming weeks.

Serong was outstanding in the midfield in RAC Derby 60, finishing with 35 disposals and 10 clearances and pairing with fellow vice-captain Andrew Brayshaw (29 and six) to drive the Freo's response after a disappointing fortnight. 
 
By winning his fourth Glendinning-Allan Medal – and his third in the past five derbies – Serong equalled Club great Paul Hasleby's record while still having a long career ahead of him after just 106 games. 
 
The Freo midfielders were well-served by ruckman Luke Jackson, who has stood up in Darcy's absence, while key forwards Jye Amiss (four goals) and Josh Treacy (three) cashed in on a weight of supply. 
 
They passed 100 points for the first time since their last win, against West Coast in round 21 last season, and should gain significant confidence after controlling a West Coast team that was hurt by a groin injury to Jeremy McGovern but never gave up.

Needing a response from their midfield, the Freo Dockers suffered a pre-game blow when in-form onballer Jaeger O'Meara was among two late omissions alongside half-back Corey Wagner.

The pressure was on star pair Serong and Brayshaw to lift and both did, playing key roles alongside wingman Nathan O'Driscoll in an entertaining start that saw Fremantle win the inside 50s (21-7) and build a 15-point lead. 
 
It was an arm wrestle early and there were repeated errors from both teams as the pressure grew, but Freo were able to lean on their clearance strength and get the game on their terms.

Key forward Treacy took over in the second term to kick all three of Fremantle's goals, with Brayshaw setting up his third after the siren with an outstanding defensive effort in the midfield and pinpoint inside 50.

With Serong fighting through attention from Jack Graham and starring, Freo looked to have their game in order and took a 26-point lead into the main break.

It took less than a minute for the Eagles to eat into it after half-time, however, as recruits Liam Baker and Jack Graham combined at the first centre bounce to set up Jack Williams. 
 
It was a rare flourish, however, as Freo turned the screws in a quarter that was largely played in their front half, with Jackson, Jordan Clark, Michael Frederick and Pat Voss converting to extend the margin to 36 points at the last change.  
 
Sidekicks fight for medal
When Serong and Brayshaw dominate a game, Fremantle usually win, with their importance on Sunday reflected in the nail-biting Glendinning-Allan Medal voting. Serong polled seven votes (3, 3, 2), to win from Brayshaw (3, 3), while ruck Jackson polled two votes and Treacy polled three. Fremantle's vice-captains had been under pressure to respond to a slow start to the season by their standards, with Serong tagged heavily in last week's loss to Sydney. The response was emphatic.

Dudley's RAC Derby debut
Justin Longmuir wanted some more forward craft in his team, and Isaiah Dudley delivered from the opening quarter. Skilful and composed, the pre-season selection was alert early when he helped set up a goal for Matthew Johnson, and he kicked his first when Shai Bolton found him in the goalsquare with a perfect pass. It was Dudley's second goal four minutes later, however, that best showcased his strengths, with the small forward receiving a handball at speed and quickly balancing himself to convert from 40m under heat. The 21-year-old looks an excellent find.      

Harley's backline shift
After a quiet first half that netted seven disposals and no clearances, Harley Reid briefly brought the crowd to life with a soaring mark over Neil Erasmus and a much-needed goal. The young star was quickly shifted to the backline, however, as the Eagles tried to find a spark. Reid was joined in defence by co-captain Oscar Allen in a rarely sighted combination that was brought on by the tactical substitution of key defender Harry Edwards and a groin injury for Jeremy McGovern. The Eagles were pushed to their limit but continued to fight in the fourth quarter.

WEST COAST         3.1    4.4     7.5        10.8 (68)
FREMANTLE            5.4    8.6    12.11    15.16 (106)  
 
GOALS
West Coast: A.Reid 2, Cripps 2, J.Williams, Ryan, H.Reid, Owies, Hunt, Brockman
Fremantle: Amiss 4, Treacy 3, Dudley 2, Voss, O'Driscoll, Johnson, Jackson, Frederick, Clark
 
BEST
West Coast: Hough, Maric, Baker, Dewar
Fremantle: Serong, Brayshaw, Jackson, Treacy, Pearce, Amiss
 
INJURIES
West Coast: McGovern (groin)
Fremantle: Nil
 
LATE CHANGES
West Coast: Nil
Fremantle: Jaeger O'Meara (illness) and Corey Wagner (injured) replaced by James Aish and Karl Worner
 
SUBSTITUTES
West Coast: Elijah Hewett (replaced Harry Edwards in the third quarter)
Fremantle: James Aish (replaced Jeremy Sharp in the fourth quarter)
 
Crowd: 53,289 at Optus Stadium