The Eagles' midfield - led by Xavier Ellis, Matt Priddis, Chris Masten and Sharrod Wellingham controlled possession in the 2.20.10 (148) to 0.10.4 (64) victory.
Fremantle started the game slowly in the opening term, with West Coast capitalising fully kicking with a strong breeze.
Veteran stars Matthew Pavlich and Luke McPharlin (both substitutes) looked on from the bench as Freo went into the first break 46 points behind.
The Eagles had 25 inside 50s to five in the first term and 30 more possessions.
Pavlich entered after half-time and kicked a couple of goals but the damage was already done.
Freo’s trademark defensive pressure was absent and although their big bodies of Aaron Sandilands, David Mundy, Michael Barlow and Nat Fyfe dominated the centre clearances 23-11, they were unable to get clean possessions and had a number of uncharacteristic turnovers.
Freo assistant coach Peter Sumich, who took the reins in the coaching box for the match, said the scoreboard was disappointing, but that the team could still take some positives from the performance.
“Last year we were in a similar position against Carlton and we moved on pretty quickly, and that’s what we’ve got to do here,” he said.
“We’ve got some good minutes into players and we move on ready for next week.”
Sumich predicted there would be some changes to the side ahead of the NAB Challenge match against the Western Bulldogs on Wednesday week at Etihad Stadium.
Two of those inclusions could be star tagger Ryan Crowley and forward Chris Mayne, who are both yet to appear in the pre-season matches.
Sumich said neither of the pair was injured and both were working towards returning.
“Both of them just need training time,” he said.
“They are both out on the track training, Crowley trained on Sunday and so did Mayne.
“They are up and training and we just need to get minutes into them.
“By next week they should be fine.”
WHAT WE LEARNED
Fremantle: The typical Freo defensive pressure was absent as the players got time in the legs. Dockers fans should not read too much into this performance. Lachie Neale looks to have taken another step forward as an AFL player. The sub in the 2013 Grand Final had 24 touches and kicked a goal in an impressive performance.
NEW FACES
Fremantle: The new recruits for Fremantle had very quiet afternoons. Scott Gumbleton played almost exclusively up-forward. He kicked two goals but had just six possessions for the match. Colin Sylvia had just five possessions for the match.
FREMANTLE 0.2.1 0.4.2 0.5.2 0.10.4 (64)
WEST COAST 2.6.5 2.11.8 2.18.10 2.20.10 (148)
SUPERGOALS
Fremantle: Nil
West Coast: Hurn, Brown
GOALS
Fremantle: Pavlich2, Gumbleton 2, Walters, Duffy, Hannath, Barlow, Fyfe, Neale
West Coast: Masten 3, Wellingham 3, Cripps 3, LeCras 2, Shuey 2, Hutchings, Sinclair, Darling, Newman, Kennedy, Yeo, Hill
BEST
Fremantle: Fyfe, Mzungu, Mundy, Barlow, Sandilands, Neale
West Coast: Wellingham, Masten, Ellis, Priddis, Hurn, Cripps, Hutchings
INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil
West Coast: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Fremantle: Pavlichreplaced Hannath at half-time; McPharin replaced Duffield at half-time.
West Coast: Sheppard replaced Selwood in the second quarter; McGinnity replaced Hurn in the second quarter. Brown replaced Ellis in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Dalgleish, Farmer, Margetts
Official crowd: 10,737 at Arena Joondalup
