Duff’s derby dozen: Nic Naitanui, Sam Switkowski and Griffin Logue among key western derby talking points

1. Freo – forget top four, get four points

Sixth v 17th looks like a shoo-in doesn’t it? A bit like playing Collingwood at home when the Pies at that stage were the only team the Eagles had beaten. Justin Longmuir had to scold his players after that game for getting ahead of themselves. He should remind them of that now. Funny things happen in footy. There is no top four without these four points.

2. Eagles hung over

Is it possible to have a hero farewell hangover? West Coast are about to find out. They didn’t get the win against Adelaide but they played strongly and Josh Kennedy went out with a bang, kicking eight. There would have been some celebrating to see Kennedy off, there is a six day break and there will be challenges in getting up for this.

3. Could Tom Barrass play himself into an All-Australian jumper?

The burly Eagles defender has a fortnight to press his claims. He has played the house down in the past month, marking everything and disrupting opposition attacks. Two more outstanding games would put him in the frame and with no Matt Taberner he will probably have Rory Lobb in his sights.

4. And on that ...

Lobb could scarcely have been more impressive against the Western Bulldogs last week. He led well and kicked superbly to hit the scoreboard and keep the Bulldogs on the back foot. We know how well he can play, the issue has been how often he plays well. Has had a strong season, may get to finish it as a permanent forward. Can make a massive difference to Fremantle’s possibilities if he gets it right.

5. Nic v Sean - the battle of the big boys

Naitanui has been in good form since his return from a knee issue. Darcy has held up well in testing battles against Luke Jackson and Max Gawn followed by Tim English. They are both big boys who like to impose themselves on the opposition ruckman. Could be a bit of heat in the first bounce.

6. Fremantle’s attack – their one remaining unsolved puzzle

The midfield looks solid, the defence looks great. How do the Dockers structure up forward of centre? This is where Justin Longmuir still has a lot of balls in the air this season. Injuries to Sam Switkowski, Matt Taberner and Nat Fyfe have stripped him of the chance to settle an attack down. Switkowski is back. It’s a work in progress.

7. Does Griff get to ruck again?

It has been fascinating to see the ever increasing uses for Logue, the jack of all trades in the Dockers line up. He gives Longmuir a tall defensive option, adds competitiveness and athleticism to the attack and won 12 hit outs and three clearances to go with a goal as a ruck forward against the Bulldogs. Adds a bit wherever he goes.

8. Jack’s back as the focal point in attack

The departure of Kennedy means Jack Darling gets to be the primary target. After questions over whether he would play at all he has strung together a solid second half to the year, has 16 goals in his past seven games. hitting the scoreboard every week. If he kicks seven goals in the remaining two games he will go past Kennedy as the team’s club’s leading goalkicker this year.

9. The match up we’d love to see

Liam Ryan v Hayden Young. It hasn’t been the greatest season for Ryan but he was back to somewhere near his best last weekend getting higher up the ground and helping to feed Josh Kennedy. It has been an impressive year for Young, the dashing Dockers defender whose ball use puts him towards the top end of a list of the AFL’s most promising.

10. And at the other end?

Sam Switkowski makes a welcome return to the Dockers line up after a serious back injury and Jamaine Jones has given the Eagles great dash and drive since a shift to half back. Switkowski gives the Dockers attack X factor and the capacity to create half chances. Jones just takes the game on and takes the ball to the opposition’s defence at speed.

11. Get along to see Dave Mundy – just in case

The Dockers probably only have to win just one of their last two to secure a top six berth and a home final. In case there is a late twist in the plot (there is wet weather forecast), this is the last “guaranteed” chance for Dockers fans to get along for a look at a rolled gold champion. Brilliant player, brilliant person.

12 The verdict

There are a lot of factors in Fremantle’s favour for this one — form, personnel, incentive being just a few of them. West Coast won’t want to capitulate with a nightmare finish in Geelong to follow this but Fremantle should win. I am factoring in the weather forecast in tipping Fremantle by 20 points.