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March 23, 2026 — 9:58am
Welcome to the Western Watercooler, where we digest the talking points from the weekend’s games – and the highlights, frustrations and silver linings WA footy fans can cling to as the season progresses.
If a week’s a long-time in football, 308 days is an eternity. That’s how long Eagles fans have waited for a win.
And this week, for the first time since May, both WA sides tasted victory on the same weekend.
The Eagles’ youth showed there’s plenty to like, producing a stirring come-from-behind win over the Kangaroos, while the Dockers flexed their muscle in a dominant start-to-finish performance over the Demons.
West Coast Eagles
What went right? The Eagles’ youth.
There’s plenty to like from recent top draft picks Willem Duursma and Cooper Duff-Tytler.
The duo both kicked their first goals in the AFL in the opening quarter and both finished with two majors.
But their presence was felt more than just the scoreboard.
Duursma’s skill and pace while Duff-Tytler’s agility show they’ll develop into very good players for a very long time.
Add in Jobe Shanahan and the recent acquisition of Milan Murdock, and the kids have got talent.
What went wrong? Harry Edwards’ concussion.
The 25 year-old is facing a very challenging period as he now spends more time on the sidelines after his second concussion in three weeks.
The key defender has a history of knocks and this latest came from friendly fire from teammate Matt Flynn.
Edwards has developed into a key part of the Eagles young defence, he’s worked hard on his game after being forced to wait for opportunities.
Let’s hope he gets healthy.
Silver lining: Elliot Yeo.
What a difference he makes.
Sidelined by injury for all of 2025, the 32 year-old’s presence transforms the Eagles midfield.
His experience and toughness is vital, while he is a crucial mentor for Harley Reid as his ‘play-on-the-edge’ approach to the game.
It’s about quality not quantity for Yeo and his possessions, his brilliant goal on the three-quarter time siren an example.
If he can remain fit and continue to have an impact around the ball and on the scoreboard as he has done in his first two games, West Coast are a far better version of themselves.
Fremantle Dockers
What went right? Fast start.
For the second week in a row, the Dockers exploded out of the blocks to begin the game. It was high speed, high intensity and highly effective.
Their 52 points in the opening term against the Cats was their best start under Justin Longmuir.
The fast ball movement continued against the Demons, this time adding 49 by the first siren from a massive 25 inside fifties and a seven goal advantage.
What went wrong? Jye Amiss.
It was another uneventful showing from the out-of-form Fremantle forward. He’s clearly down on confidence and could soon be out of the side.
Amiss missed a regulation set-shot from close range in the opening term, was goalless and had no goal assists.
The Dockers have kicked 31 goals in the opening two games, Amiss has contributed only one.
Since his breakout 41-goal season in 2023, it’s been a steady decline in output from the left-footer.
Silver lining: Shai Bolton.
The smooth mover stepped up in the absence of Hayden Young.
Bolton went to 22 centre bounces and dined out on the increased midfield minutes. He finished with 32 touches, 10 inside fifties, nine clearances and two goals.
Not only does good things usually come from Bolton with ball in hand, it should also give Justin Longmuir reason to be extra cautious with Young’s return date following his history of soft tissue injuries.
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