Dockers have plenty to ponder after derby misfire

Ruckman Sean Darcy said the Dockers had a long review in the wake of Saturday's 37-point loss, their worst performance of the season.

After tight losses to Carlton and Port Adelaide in South Australia, Fremantle came home but forgot to bring their contested game back with them.

"We were probably waiting for someone (else) to get the job done," Darcy said.

"We felt like our starting positions were really good, but when the ball was in front of us - getting there and winning the ball was something we were really good (at) for the first five weeks ... but we probably took a backward step.

"Full credit to West Coast, they were hard, tough and physical - they showed us up in that. We have to be better."

Fremantle will have their annual Len Hall match for the Anzac Day round on Saturday night.

They will host the Western Bulldogs, who returned to form with a 10-goal belting of St Kilda.

"Len Hall is a really special game for us. Saturday night in front of the Purple Army will be really big," Darcy said.

Saturday was Darcy's first game back since round 18 of last season because of injury, and while happy with his return he accepted he was rusty.

He will play his 100th game when he lines up against the Bulldogs.

"I have to understand it's going to be a build over the three or four weeks to get my body right, my touch right, get match-hardened ... (Saturday) was an OK game," he said.

Now Darcy and fellow ruckman Luke Jackson will come up against Tim English, last year's All-Australian in the role.

"His ability to cover ground, (he's) one of the better ones," Darcy said.

"His ability to take contested marks above the packs, some others can't reach that high.

"You have to be really quick with his reactions - on the ground, he's really fast.

"As long as you're physical and reacting really quick, making good decisions, that's the big one with Tim."

Darcy was sporting a cut below his eye after Saturday's game, but said there was no way the wound was going to force him off the field in his comeback game.

"The umpire tried to get me off for the blood rule, but no - I'd missed too much footy, sorry," he said.

Australian Associated Press