July 20, 2026 — 11:19amWelcome to the Western Watercooler, where we digest the talking points from the weekend’s games – and the highlights, frustrations and silver linings WA footy fans can cling to as the season progresses.The minor premiership is almost within the Dockers keeping.Fremantle withstood an undermanned Port Adelaide and their 16th win of the season, coupled with Sydney’s loss to Adelaide, extended the Dockers advantage to three games on top of the table.Hayden Young made it through the match against Port Adelaide unscathed.Getty ImagesA spirited West Coast took it up to the two-time defending premiers Brisbane.And while they led at half-time, the Eagles were eventually outclassed, but didn’t lose any admirers.Fremantle DockersWhat went right? Their third term blitz.It was shift, powerful and match defining - as they’ve done on countless occasions this year.Five goals in 10 minutes were enough to turn a 12-point half-time deficit into a 19-point lead at the final change.And it came on the back of the improved centre clearance work which was below par in the opening half.What went wrong? First-half centre clearance work.Port Adelaide entered the match minus their best four players.Zac Butters, Connor Rozee, Jason Horne-Francis and Mitch Georgiades were all absent through injury or suspension.But in the opening two quarters, it was the Dockers who were on the back foot, Justin Longmuir saying his players didn’t “get their hands dirty.”Port monstered Fremantle in the centre clearances, winning the stat 12-2, which resulted in 5.3 (33) as the Dockers didn’t generate a score from the source.The fitness of veteran Jaegar O’Meara will be closely monitored after he was unable to play out the game with an ankle concern.Silver lining: Hayden Young got through his return unscathed.The 25-year-old was back after missing the previous week with a groin injury, managing 20 disposals and a goal from 67 per cent game time.Continuity and confidence in his body are the two things he will be chasing with finals edging closer.He’s a star when fully fit and has the potential to supercharge the Dockers post-season finals run if he gets a clean run at it.West Coast EaglesWhat went right? Applying pressure early.The Eagles stunned Brisbane, jumping out to a 21-point lead in the first term.They booted five of the first six goals as a result of their centre clearance work.West Coast won the centre clearances and draw level at stoppages, no mean feat against a midfield possessing an abundance of stars.They matched their grunt work with intent, hunt and pressure while also out-tackling the Lions.Brisbane eventually wrestled back control and played at their tempo of choice on the back of a one-sided mark stat (115-67).But the exposure the young Eagles will get from facing a side challenging for a three-peat will be invaluable.What went wrong? Injury and suspension.The Eagles lost forward Jack Hutchinson to a hamstring injury in the opening minutes and it only got worse.Star Harley Reid lost his footing while on the interchange bench and spent the majority of the opening quarter getting treatment.West Coast star Harley Reid spent time on the bench early after an ankle injury.Getty ImagesHe clearly wasn’t fully fit, and although playing out the game to finish as one of the Eagles best, there’s some doubt over his availability for Friday’s Western Derby.Right now, co-captain Liam Baker won’t face Fremantle, with the 28-year-old offered a one-match ban for rough conduct on Cam Rayner.Silver lining: Rhett Bazzo.The Eagles defence has been severely stretched in the absence of Reuben Ginbey and Harry Edwards.But it brought about an opportunity for Bazzo, managing 37 games in five seasons on the list.The 22 year-old was locked in an engrossing battle with Logan Morris, who despite being a year younger, is considered one of the competition’s best young key forwards - playing 61 games and winning two premierships.Bazzo ended the night restricting Morris to one goal, while effecting a game-high 11 spoils and taking four intercept marks.Paddy Sweeney is a Nine News Perth sports presenter and journalist.From our partners