Justin Longmuir is facing immense pressure. As the Fremantle Dockers prepare for the 60th Western Derby, the coach desperately needs a win against their cross-town rivals to alleviate the building tension.
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03-31, 2025Fremantle has already suffered six consecutive losses, including the final four games of the 2024 season. This marks the club's longest losing streak under Longmuir's leadership. Another loss on Sunday in front of a hostile West Coast home crowd would result in a dismal 0-3 start to a season where CEO Simon Garlick declared they were ready to contend for a premiership.
The discontent stemming from Fremantle's poor performance is evident in talkback radio and social media, as fans watch another promising season potentially slip away. In Longmuir's five seasons at the helm, Fremantle has only reached the finals once, in 2022. The remaining seasons saw them finish 12th, 11th, 14th, and 9th respectively, fueling the frustration.
Following their loss to Sydney at home last week, despite dominating possession, Sunday afternoon's Derby takes on critical importance. But Longmuir has downplayed the broader implications that a loss could have on the team's season or his tenure as coach. "People will talk about my coaching, or where we're at as a footy club… [the Derby] is important because it's the next game and we're trying to improve our footy," Longmuir told reporters at a press conference on Friday.
The Fremantle coach also confirmed that exciting small forward, Isaiah Dudley, will make his debut for the club on Sunday. Dudley was only added to Fremantle's list in February, with the 21-year-old having played for Central District in the SANFL last season. Longmuir stated that Dudley will start in the team rather than being used as a substitute, with his inclusion aimed at adding some "forward craft" to Fremantle, who only managed 65 points despite having 59 entries inside 50 last weekend.
Longmuir also backed star midfielder Caleb Serong to rediscover his best form, after he was tagged by Sydney's James Jordan last weekend and only had 19 disposals. "I think we can support him a bit more to get off the leash," Longmuir said. "He's up for the challenge."
For the West Coast Eagles, this is somewhat of a free hit, but they face the challenge of replicating their admirable losing effort against Brisbane last week. After being thrashed by Gold Coast in round one, many supporters feared another long and painful season was in store. To show those fans they are heading in the right direction, West Coast needs to string together solid performances, having first redeemed themselves somewhat with their effort against Brisbane at the Gabba.
The long trip and the game starting just after midday in hot and humid conditions will make their Derby task even harder. However, coach Andrew McQualter, who is about to experience his first Western Derby, said his players would not use the tough conditions as an excuse. "Everyone's pulled up really well, we've had a seven-day break," McQualter said. "The program this week has been really well thought out, our medical team and our strength and conditioning team have executed it really well, and we're ready to go."
McQualter confirmed that Eagles fans will have to wait at least another week to see prized West Australian recruit, Coen Allen, make his debut, after he looked set to debut in round one before falling ill. The Eagles coach indicated that his debut would not be this weekend. "He's building his craft and getting better and better, but it won't be this week," McQualter said. "We just want to make sure when he gets his opportunity he's really ready to go."
As the clear underdogs, the Eagles coach will be hoping his players can again produce a resilient performance. For Fremantle coach Longmuir, the stakes could not be higher in the 60th Western Derby.
