West Coast emphatically ended any notion of an AFL form slump and put a major dent in Fremantle's finals hopes with a clinical 48-point thrashing at Subiaco Oval.

Two losses from their past three games had knocked the ladder-leading Eagles from premiership favouritism and had some questioning their 2005 flag chances.

But the club responded in kind, winning 19.14 (128) to 12.8 (80) to continue its domination of the western derby, now holding a 17-5 record against its fiercest foe.

West Coast moves to 17-3 for the season and within one win of its third minor premiership and first since its last flag back in 1994.

Despite having goalsneak Phil Matera (groin) ruled out, the Eagles had 14 individual goal-kickers to make a mockery of concerns over their forward line production.

The Dockers have slipped to 10-10, still needing two wins to reach the finals, and could be out of the top eight if the Western Bulldogs beat Richmond on Sunday.

Fremantle host St Kilda next Friday before ending its home-and-away season against Port at AAMI Stadium.

West Coast hadn't taken kindly to criticism of its recent form in the build-up to the game and was determined to make a fast start.

Ashley Sampi started in the goal square and kicked West Coast's first and David Wirrpunda added another barely before Fremantle had tasted possession.

Matthew Pavlich ended the term with two goals for the Dockers, but that was all they could boast for the quarter opposed to five for the designated home team.

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