SEVEN goals from Josh Kennedy has helped West Coast put away a plucky Fremantle in Western Derby 44 and stay in touch with the top four.

The Eagles were made to earn it as the Dockers produced their best performance in several weeks but they were not able to keep pace after half-time.

Kennedy was the difference with six goals to three-quarter time, including three in a dominant third term to help the Eagles win 17.8 (110) to 9.10 (64). He walked away with the Ross Glendinning Medal as best afield.

"He's a tremendous leader for us, vice-captain," Adam Simpson said.

"Obviously he got on the end of a couple today and he stood up in big moments, which he's done definitely since I've been here. He makes others better around him."

Full match coverage and stats

Eagles midfielders Matt Priddis and Luke Shuey were outstanding all day and Chris Masten stepped up as Andrew Gaff was well held by Tommy Sheridan.

The Eagles' defence was also outstanding led by Shannon Hurn and Brad Sheppard, who were instrumental in reversing the momentum when the Eagles were under siege early in the second quarter.

The Dockers led by 15 points 10 minutes into the second term but failed to take their chances and were eventually worn down.

"Strong first half, I thought, and then they were able to wear us right down and get on top in the end," Dockers coach Ross Lyon said.

"We would have liked to have sustained it for longer.

"I thought our long down the line contests in the second half were costly. We couldn't halve them or win them, like we should have been able to or wanted to. But we never gave up."

Five talking points: Fremantle v West Coast

Stephen Hill tried hard all day for the Dockers, while Sheridan did a good job on Gaff and kicked a couple of goals.

Shane Yarran was very lively up forward in just his third AFL game. He kicked two goals but could have finished with a handful had he taken all of the opportunities he created. Matthew Pavlich also kicked two in his 34th and final derby appearance.

Alex Silvagni did an excellent job on Jack Darling in defence and was required to roll over to Kennedy in the last quarter.    

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The Dockers started brightly and clubbed the Eagles in the opening term, winning the contested possession count by 10 and the inside 50 count by five to lead by a goal at quarter-time.

They had all the momentum at the start of the season term but could not capitalise on the scoreboard. They were plus-20 in contested football at one stage and had five of the first six scores of the quarter but kicked just two goals.

"To be a good team, you've got to take those opportunities," Lyon said. 

"We understand we need to improve that. That takes time, but I'm sure we're going to get there." 

The Eagles arrested the momentum courtesy of some resolute defence from Sheppard and Hurn and then Nic Naitanui and Shuey lifted in the midfield to help the Eagles kick four unanswered goals to set-up an 11-point lead at half-time.

"We're really pleased," Simpson said.

"I thought the Dockers came out really hard in the first quarter obviously and put real heat on the game. We didn't handle (it) too well. We lost the contest and free kicks probably showed us we were second to the ball. I thought halfway through the second quarter we worked our way through it and I was pretty pleased with that second half."

But the Dockers' ball use really let them down, particularly in the third term. The Dockers could not get the ball out of their back half in the third term. The Eagles kicked 13 of their 17 goals from turnovers. The Eagles' ball use and leg speed on the break just cut Fremantle open.

MEDICAL ROOM
Fremantle: The Dockers did not have any injury issues. 

West Coast: The Eagles appeared to get through unscathed. Sharrod Wellingham spent some time on the bench in the second term but he returned in the second half and played well.

NEXT UP
The Dockers host Adelaide next Sunday at Domain Stadium. The Eagles travel to Sydney off a six-day break to tackle Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium on Saturday.

The Eagles celebrate winning Western Derby 44. Picture: AFL Photos

FREMANTLE        3.2     5.6      7.7     9.10     (64)                  
WEST COAST      2.2     7.5    12.7     17.8    (110)           

GOALS
Fremantle: Yarran 2, Sheridan 2, Pavlich 2, Ballantyne, Apeness, Walters
West Coast: Kennedy 7, Hill 3, LeCras 3, Hurn, Naitanui, Tunbridge, Gaff 

BEST 
Fremantle: Hill, Neale, Mundy, Yarran, Silvagni, Sheridan
West Coast: Kennedy, Priddis, Shuey, Hurn, McGovern, Sheppard, Masten

INJURIES 
Fremantle: TBC
West Coast: TBC

Reports: TBC

Umpires: Margetts, Kamolins, Fleer

Official crowd: 36,215 at Domain Stadium