There are worrying signs that West Coast has lost the advantage at their once fortress-like home ground of Optus Stadium.

The Eagles have lost their past five matches at the Burswood venue and eight of their past 10, with a last-gasp win over Richmond and victory over St Kilda in 2021 the exceptions.

A 63-point loss to Sydney and a 55-point western derby defeat followed the round one victory of Gold Coast over the Eagles, whose past two games of last season were losses to Fremantle (by 15 points) and eventual premiers Melbourne (by 9 points).

While Fremantle are away to their best start to an AFL season since 2015 after piling on 10 unanswered goals to smash a disappointing Essendon by 48 points.

The lead changed six times during a topsy-turvy first-half at Marvel Stadium as the Dockers took a three-point advantage into the main break.

But Fremantle blew Sunday’s round-five game open by booting 6.3 to 0.1 during an irresistible third term to ensure their first win against the Bombers in Melbourne since 2010.

The West's chief sports writer Mark Diffield has the weekend sport wrap

There are worrying signs that West Coast has lost the advantage at their once fortress-like home ground of Optus Stadium.
The Eagles have lost their past five matches at the Burswood venue and eight of their past 10, with a last-gasp win over Richmond and victory over St Kilda in 2021 the exceptions.
A 63-point loss to Sydney and a 55-point western derby defeat followed the round one victory of Gold Coast over the Eagles, whose past two games of last season were losses to Fremantle (by 15 points) and eventual premiers Melbourne (by 9 points).
While&nbsp;Fremantle are away to their best start to an AFL season since 2015 after piling on 10 unanswered goals to smash a disappointing Essendon by 48 points.
The lead changed six times during a topsy-turvy first-half at Marvel Stadium as the Dockers took a three-point advantage into the main break.
But Fremantle blew Sunday&rsquo;s round-five game open by booting 6.3 to 0.1 during an irresistible third term to ensure their first win against the Bombers in Melbourne since 2010.
The West's chief sports writer Mark Diffield has the weekend sport wrap

If you enjoyed listening to The West Live for your daily news fix, then come and join us over on The Nightly Five.  Host Ben O’Shea continues to deliver punchy news and analysis, in a new podcast to get you in front of tomorrow’s news today!  Subscribe on your favourite podcast player and visit the thenightly.com.au

If you enjoyed listening to The West Live for your daily news fix, then come and join us over on The Nightly Five.  Host Ben O’Shea continues to deliver punchy news and analysis, in a new podcast to get you in front of tomorrow’s news today!  Subscribe on your favourite podcast player and visit the <a href="https://thenightly.com.au">thenightly.com.au</a>

Advertisement