West Coast coach Daisy Pearce says her young Eagles didn’t “shy away from expectation” after another western derby defeat to fierce rivals Fremantle.

The Eagles entered their eighth AFLW derby after their best-ever start to the season, while the Dockers had fallen to three successive defeats.

It meant the young side headed to hostile territory almost expected to break through for their maiden triumph over the Dockers.

But despite the polar opposite form guides, it was the ‘big sister’ in Fremantle who claimed bragging rights in a brutal wet-weather battle, claiming a 3.5 (23) to 2.4 (16) win.

“We were up against a really competitive outfit in Fremantle, so credit to them,” Pearce said.

“I think they adjusted to the conditions a bit quicker than we did in the game. Just their ability t

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