A slow start cost West Coast an opportunity to record its second straight Next Generation Academy derby win against Fremantle at Domain Stadium last Saturday.

The Dockers’ development squad shot out to a 40-point lead before the half-time break of the Carlton Draught Derby 45 curtain raiser, but the Eagles clawed their way back into the contest and trailed by just six points late in the third quarter.

Unfortunately, West Coast’s gallant fightback stalled in the final term and the Dockers pressed ahead to record a hard-fought 13.13 (91) to 12.3 (75) victory.

West Coast Eagles Next Generation Academy head coach Adam Selwood said although the club’s 25 players were disappointed with the result, they had an absolute blast playing on WA football’s biggest stage.

“Unfortunately we got jumped early in the game and we were down by about 40-odd points, but it was great to see the kids come together, learn each other’s names and play more as a team,” Selwood said.

“They really built momentum throughout the game and at one back they clawed Fremantle’s lead back to just one goal. We felt like we could have won the game, but the Dockers just pulled away in the last quarter. A lot of their team played together in the recent All Nations carnival and we only had four players who featured in that carnival, whereas they had about 12.”

In spite of the result, Selwood said several West Coast players performed admirably during the curtain raiser fixture.

New Zealand national and Margaret River local Luke Furlong led from the front, Ellenbrook talent Ali Luko took the game on and Northam youngster Jackson Edmunds made an impression in the Next Generation derby.

“One of the South West players, Luke Furlong, captained the squad on the day,” Selwood said.

“He’s been travelling from Margaret River to Perth to participate in training sessions. He’s of kiwi heritage and he’s really committed to his footy. He wants to get better, and he’s attended about five of our Naitanui Academy training sessions.

“We had another boy, Ali Luko from Ellenbrook, who showed a lot of promise and a youngster from Northam, Jackson Edmunds, he showed a lot of poise in the back line. We threw him into the midfield later in the game and he was one of our best performers.”