The time has come once again WA footy fans! DERBY TIME!

We all know what that means, if you don’t follow AFL, Dockers and Eagles supporters are going to be unbearable on Sunday! In a Fremantle Dockers home game, they will take on West Coast Eagles at Domain Stadium on Sunday in what I think will be a very interesting clash.

Some BIG (literally) returns for both teams this week! Docker Aaron Sandilands will line up for Freo after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, suffering a punctured lung and broken ribs after copping a Nic Naitanui knee to the body in round 3- the last time these two sides met! WELCOME BACK SANDI! The gang is slowly getting back together! The Fremantle Dockers also welcome back pocket-rocket Hayden Ballantyne after fracturing his face in the clash with the Cats in round 17. He will be wearing protective headgear for the match, hopefully he doesn’t do any additional damage.

West Coast have named their big man Nic Naitanui in their side, returning from surgery on the lower of both of his legs. The ruck contest on Sunday will definitely be one to keep an eye on! The Eagles made quite a few changes for their line-up this week, including welcoming back Tom Barrass, Elliot Yeo and the much-debated Lewis Jetta. Eagle Will Schofield plays his 150^th game on Sunday, while Docker’s Alex Silvagni and Hayden Crozier both play their 50^th. Best of luck to the milestone men!

This time last year these two teams were sitting in the top two spots on the AFL ladder… How things have changed! West Coast are still inside the top 8 and will be fighting hard for the win this week in attempt to get themselves back in the top 4. Despite their fairly good standing, they have not been playing with their usual dominance that we are used to seeing. And as for Freo, well, we all know about the Dockers downfall this season. However, I am confident that when the team gets back to full health, they will be ready to start a fresh next season. It’s just a shame that after an amazing career, Matty Pavlich’s last season will end on such an average note.

The Dockers need to make up for their abysmal performance against the Swans last week in what should have been a much happier ending for Pav in his 350^th game. And West Coast need to prove why they deserve a spot in the top 4 after a loss to the Pies at the MCG last week. I think this will be a closer game than people are assuming, with West Coast more than likely getting the win. Both teams play well at Domain Stadium however, I think West Coast will have the edge.

I am tipping West Coast Eagles to beat the Fremantle Dockers by 10 points! 

Let us know you #AFLFreoEagles predictions at @TweetPerth @EmmaLianaPayne