Once a backman, always a backman.

Despite having the best midfield in the AFL, West Coast coach John Worsfold showed his membership of the stoppers' union is still fully paid up by heaping praise on his defenders after they shut down the Dockers' star forwards in their 31-point derby win.

All-Australian Darren Glass restricted Matthew Pavlich to 12 possessions and two goals in a classic duel, and Adam Hunter did an equally admirable job on Chris Tarrant.

And although Michael Braun continued the midfield monopoly on the Ross Glendinning medal for best-on-ground in derbies, Worsfold clearly thought his backmen were the key in the 14.17 (101) to 11.4 (70) victory.

"I thought (the defence) played extremely well. They are in good form. We've been really happy with (Adam) Selwood and (Beau) Waters back there, and obviously (Darren) Glass and (Adam) Hunter, Brett Jones, those guys, all working really well together," Worsfold said.

"You're talking about two All-Australian players, the backman (Glass) and the forward (Pavlich).

"Matty Pavlich is just a great player, and I was really pleased with the way Glassy went.

"I don't know how many goals Pavlich kicked, but certainly in some of the one-on-one duels, they were outstanding. Glassy did well in them, and Pavlich took some good strong marks."

Not since 2005 had West Coast overcome Fremantle, losing five in a row in home and away, NAB Cup and exhibition contests.

So the lifting of two years of frustration against their closest geographical rivals also saw Worsfold lift his usual post-match shutters.

Asked about whether star defender David Wirrpanda preferred to play forward or back, Worsfold again revealed his preferences.

"Most blokes prefer to play back, don't they? I thought they did," Worsfold said.

And asked about midfielder Michael Braun being voted best afield, Worsfold espoused a conspiracy theory.

"A couple of our defenders were outstanding, I thought. Who was judging it? They were all probably forwards," joked the coach.

Worsfold also attempted to make light of Braun's blooper during his medal presentation, when he let slip the f-word on live television after accepting the Ross Glendinning medal from the former North Melbourne champion.

"It was a big slip-up, and I will go and get the soap out and wash his mouth out now," Worsfold said.

"It is very disappointing, but it has happened and we will apologise.

"My daughter was probably watching and if she starts using that word then I will start yelling at her."

Braun apologised immediately afterwards, saying he had meant the aside for his colleagues, not for general consumption.

"I just have to apologise to the community for my little outburst. I just thought I was talking to the boys and it slipped out," Braun said.

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