Eagles not frustrated by derby losses

West Coast will be aiming to end Fremantle's five-match winning streak in derbies when the two teams lock horns on Sunday.

Nat Fyfe of the Fremantle Dockers

Fremantle will be aiming to make it three wins on the trot when they take on West Coast on Sunday. (AAP)

West Coast aren't frustrated by their lack of recent success against Fremantle, but they've set their sights on regaining their status as derby masters.

The Dockers have won 12 of the past 15 western derbies, including the last five, to take a stranglehold on the bitter rivalry.

The recent trend is in stark contrast to the early days, when West Coast won nine straight derbies to kick off the rivalry against their cross-town enemies.

Fremantle will enter Sunday's derby as warm favourites after beating flag fancies Port Adelaide and Geelong over the past fortnight.

But West Coast will be oozing confidence after dismantling Carlton to the tune of 69 points last week, with star forward Josh Kennedy booting 10 goals in that match.

Inaccurate goalkicking cost the Eagles victory in both derbies last year, but skipper Shannon Hurn feels his team is finally ready to get across the line.

"It doesn't frustrate us. We go out to win every game regardless," Hurn said of the recent record.

"I suppose for the fans they enjoy bragging rights for the year.

"Freo have been a good side the past few years, and we haven't been able to match it with them the whole game.

"I just think over the years (our) players have now matured more."

West Coast's bid for victory was made a tad easier on Monday when star Dockers forward Hayden Ballantyne was offered a two-match ban for his high bump on Geelong's Harry Taylor.

Ballantyne risks a three-match ban if he unsuccessfully fights the decision.

Ruckman Zac Clarke is also in doubt for Sunday's match because of a knee injury, while the Eagles are sweating on the fitness of vice-captain Scott Selwood (ankle).


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