In what some are already calling the greatest western derby ever played, Fremantle proved its strength in adversity by overcoming closest and fiercest rival West Coast 12.16 (88) to 12.11 (83) in a classic AFL encounter at Subiaco Oval.

As well as the Dockers putting aside this week's off-field dramas following the "Sirengate" controversy in Launceston last week, Chris Connolly and his team also had to cope without key ruckman Aaron Sandilands for the second half after he suffered a broken jaw.

But after a restructure which saw Matthew Pavlich, Graham Polak and Matthew Carr take turns at the stoppages, Fremantle claimed the blow-for-blow duel when Paul Hasleby found space to mark and goal with 40 seconds left to play.

In an mastery of understatement, Dockers coach Chris Connolly said it had been a "big week" for the team and the club.

"There are pivotal wins across the year that really measure the chemistry amongst the team," Connolly said

"It could have gone either way at the end of the day, but I knew we would never give in.

"I was confident we were going to fight it out to the end, and we learned a lot from the last 15 minutes of the game against St Kilda, that we had to keep attacking and keep our run up and we picked a team to do that.

"The club was in the spotlight (this week), and people said 'Is this going to drain the players?'

"I felt it wouldn't affect us, and it didn't - the guys had a red hot go, and it is that type of performance under adversity that you can draw back on."

In a game in which neither side ever looked like dominating, Fremantle started the stronger but could not shake off West Coast, which was once again inspired by the heroics of Chris Judd.

After last week's 39 touch opus against Brisbane, Judd again racked up possessions at will, finishing with 33, whilst laying tackles, creating goals and scoring a vital major himself.

After Judd's goal on the run at the start of the last term looked set to be pivotal, Dockers' skipper Peter Bell stepped up with a goal of his own to wrestle back the advantage.

In keeping with the pulsating contest, Brent Staker edged the Eagles ahead with five minutes to go, before Hasleby's ice cool intervention.

Eagles coach John Worsfold said he felt his team had been under par in certain areas, but had still done enough to win.

"It was a pretty close game all the way, and one team was always going to end up in front and we are certainly disappointed it wasn't us," Worsfold said.

"We had our chances but so did Fremantle and they grabbed theirs and were in front at the end."

Apart from Sandilands' injury, which will require surgery, the only other sore point for the Dockers was the treatment their fans dished out to Judd after he was named Ross Glendinning medal winner for best-on-ground.

Such were the volume of the Dockers' fans jeers, Judd was forced to abandon his attempts to speak after accepting his accolade.

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