No opposition club has a more intimate knowledge of Fremantle’s progress than their cross-town rivals West Coast and the 2018 premiers feel a turning point has come down at Cockburn.

Despite a 30-point win over Fremantle in round seven, the Eagles reportedly walked away from the derby optimistic about the Dockers playing future.

On this week’s episode of The Duff and Quarters Podcast The West Australian’s chief footy writer Mark Duffield and The Sunday Times’ sports editor Glen Quartermain spoke about the strong signs from Fremantle following their win over Collingwood but also the huge praise from their rivals down at Lathlain.

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“I’m told that the derby performance made an impression on West Coast,” Duffield said.

“West Coast looked at them after the derby performance and thought wow they’ve turned the corner.

“You take out of that what you will but certainly the Eagles felt like there was a significant change at Fremantle, a change for the better.”

Justin Longmuir took over from Ross Lyon as head coach of Fremantle before this season, the change in coaching and continued injection of youth hopefully helping Freo return to finals for the first time since 2015.

“I think Fremantle have performed admirably this year,” Quartermain said.

“I’m really glass half full with them, even that loss in the derby was only a kick and a bit every quarter.

“They’ve all bought in and I like the way they’ve been coached.”