Fremantle were unable to secure a win in their return to Optus Stadium with a 30-point loss to the West Coast Eagles in the RAC Derby on Sunday evening.
Freo’s undermanned backline was unable to stop Josh Kennedy in his 250th game, who kicked four goals in the clash and was awarded the Glendinning-Allan Medal.
West Coast capitalised on a second-quarter streak where they added on three quick goals after an even start to the contest.
Defender Luke Ryan led Freo down back with 19-disposals, the most for Freo, including 15 kicks as well as five marks as he fought valiantly against the Eagles’ forwards.
Ryan was the only Freo player to earn votes in the Glendinning-Allan count with two votes from the three judges.
Without captain Nat Fyfe, Freo’s mids delivered an even performance, with Michael Walters (18 disposals), Blake Acres (17), Andrew Brayshaw (17) and Adam Cerra (16) all contributing.
Debutant midfielder Michael Frederick gave the Freo fans something to smile about with a goal in an imressive debut performance.
Frederick was lively early and one of Freo’s best early in the final term where the home side had the ascendancy but couldn’t capitalise on their chances.
Tall forwards Matt Taberner and Rory Lobb were both strong targets up front. Lobb (four) and Taberner (three) combined for seven contested marks and kicked two goals each.
The pair took a series of powerful contested marks to open the final term, but their finishing was wayward and a miracle comeback like last round's effort against St Kilda failed to materialise.
Freo will remain at home for the foreseeable future with their next home game coming up against Geelong at Optus Stadium on Monday 27 July.
FREMANTLE 2.0 4.1 4.1 5.2 (32)
WEST COAST 2.2 6.4 8.7 9.8 (62)
GOALS
Fremantle: Taberner 2, Lobb 2, Frederick
West Coast: Kennedy 4, Darling 2, Waterman 2, Cameron
INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil
West Coast: Shuey (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Ainsworth
