Fremantle has asserted itself over West Coast and denied its young rival a drought-breaking AFLW RAC Derby win, winning a brutal wet-weather slog at Fremantle Oval by seven points on Sunday.

Freo's perfect 7-0 RAC Derby record was under threat after a three-game losing run, but they continued their RAC Derby dominance with a 3.5 (23) to 2.4 (16) win that was built on ferocious tackling pressure.

It was a performance full of grit as Fremantle handled the windy and wet conditions better, with former skipper Hayley Miller kicking the only goal of the fourth quarter to ultimately seal the win.

Midfielder Orlagh Lally was outstanding, winning the AFLW RAC Derby Medal as best afield with an equal game-high 24 disposals, six inside 50s and a goal, relishing the conditions as others faltered.

Kiara Bowers typified Fremantle's ferocious approach, laying 13 tackles, while ruck Mim Strom and midfielder Aisling McCarthy had some crucial involvements.

The build-up was all about whether the time was now for West Coast to finally break its RAC Derby duck after the form lines of these teams had flipped, but the impressive Eagles sit now at 3-2 after an exciting start to the season.

Superstar Ella Roberts did everything she could to get her team over the line, finishing with 24 disposals, 18 contested possessions, six inside 50s and a goal.

Freo brought a physical edge to the opening quarter and were ruthless in their attack on the ball, giving them an early advantage as Orlagh Lally pushed forward to kick the opening goal of the game.

The rain and fierce winds set in quickly, sending fans scurrying for shelter and ensuring there would be a premium placed on taking territory and with every disposal.

Roberts knew the order of the day, flushing a torpedo from the middle of the ground that almost set up the Eagles' opening goal, but the ball skidded away from Kayla Dalgleish as Freo took a six-point lead into the first break.

Fremantle maintained the rage in the second term, with their tackling pressure a feature as Bowers led the charge at the coalface and pushed forward to kick the second goal of the game.

They could have had a third after captain Ange Stannett marked within range, but a jumper punch to Charlie Thomas saw possession reversed in a game where every goal would carry significant value.

The Eagles needed a spark in the third quarter and Roberts provided it, lifting to drag her team back into the game with seven disposals, five contested possessions and three clearances for the term.

She set up the first goal of the quarter by sending Mikayla Western into space and then booted the second herself after reading the high ball better than her opponent and marking inside 50.

Some missed opportunities late saw the Eagles take a one-point lead into the final quarter as the wind and rain kicked up again, ensuring a hard-fought RAC Derby would go right to the line.

NEXT UP
The Eagles are back on the road and face a tough task when they take on second-placed Melbourne at Casey Fields on Sunday, starting at 1.05pm AEST. Fremantle remain at home on Saturday afternoon against an Essendon team that will be desperate to respond, starting at 1.05pm local WA time.    

FREMANTLE                      1.1   2.2   2.3   3.5 (23)
WEST COAST                     0.1   0.2   2.4   2.4 (16)

GOALS
Fremantle: Bowers, Lally, Miller
West Coast: Roberts, Western

BEST
Fremantle: Lally, Bowers, McCarthy, Newton, Strom, Miller
West Coast: Roberts, Thomas, Lewis, Dalgeish, Britton

INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil
West Coast: McGrath (ankle)

Crowd: TBC at Fremantle Community Bank Oval