FREMANTLE has maintained its recent dominance of West Coast and pulled itself off the bottom of the ladder, winning a dramatic but error-riddled western derby by five points on Saturday.

The 30th installment of this WA rivalry was not pretty, but while the skills were poor from both sides, the margin never stretch beyond 12 points all day and the final passages were thrilling.

Debutant Jay van Berlo and first-year defender Greg Broughton both made crucial smothers as West Coast pushed forward, while Ross Glendinning Medallist Aaron Sandilands had a profound impact in the last 10 minutes and got his side over the line.

The Eagles were in the contest all day, but, as they did in the round six derby, they kicked themselves out of the game to lose 8.18 (66) to 10.11 (71).

THE BRISBANE Lions have outlasted an improved Fremantle, winning a wet-weather arm wrestle by 15 points at Subiaco Oval on Saturday night.

Scores were level early in the third term but three second-half goals from Lions captain Jonathan Brown and the midfield dominance of West Australian draftee Daniel Rich (31 possessions) formed the backbone of their 10th win of the season: 9.8 (62) to 7.5 (47).

The win, combined with Collingwood's loss to Hawthorn earlier in the evening, leaves the Lions out of the top four only on percentage.

However, injuries to key forward Daniel Bradshaw (hamstring) and utility Jared Brennan (ankle) will give coach Michael Voss some concern ahead of a big month.

Bradshaw didn't return after quarter time and Brennan limped from the ground late in the third term while Fremantle had its own woes with youngster Andrew Foster (ankle) sidelined early and full-back Chris Tarrant (knee) taking no part in the fourth.

After last week's one-goal debacle against Adelaide, the only way was up for Fremantle and the many supporters who expected a desperate performance certainly got it.

It was there for three quarters, but once Tarrant left the game, Freo's resistance – especially in the contests with Brown – was diminished.

The FreoMOB is proud to announce that "Talking Dockers" is on 91.3FM  (Sportfm) for 2009. It is broadcast  every saturday  at 9.30am(WST). Listen in for the latest Docker news and discussion about  the games being played .If you're not in the perth metro area you can stream it LIVE or download it from sportfm.com.au

Make it your regular saturday morning footy listening in 2009 with Luke McManus, Barbara Johnson, James Walker.

91.3FM is now on face Book - go to SportFM Perth

ADELAIDE has stayed within striking distance of the top four and extended its winning streak to seven after smashing Fremantle by 117 points in a record-breaking night at AAMI Stadium.

Fremantle kicked just one point in the first quarter, was held scoreless in the second and found its first and only goal at the 12-minute mark of the third as the Crows cantered to a 19.16 (130) to 1.7 (13) victory.

The visitor's score eclipsed its previous lowest effort of 3.7 against Geelong at Skilled Stadium in round 20, 2004 while the final margin equalled the biggest defeat in its history.

Fremantle's half-time total (0.1) was the lowest since Fitzroy went without points against Essendon in round one, 1995.

Kurt Tippett, wasteful at times, was comfortably the best forward on the ground with five goals, though a three-goal final term from Jason Porplyzia matched that contribution. Patrick Dangerfield chipped in with three.

Adelaide captain Simon Goodwin celebrated his 250th game with 27 possessions and Andy Otten (27), Scott Thompson (27), David Mackay (26) and Bernie Vince (29) provided a lot of the drive.

On paper, Fremantle – without captain Matthew Pavlich and giant ruckman Aaron Sandilands – looked destined to struggle against the in-form Crows and that’s how it immediately unfolded.

As has been the case in recent weeks, Adelaide's effective zone, congestion of its defensive half and incredible pressure on the ball carrier made almost every foray difficult for Fremantle from the first bounce.

Adelaide squandered two early shots on goal, but when Scott Stevens kicked truly at the four-minute mark the home side didn’t look back.

Otten, Graham Johncock and Andrew McLeod were instrumental as the Crows registered nine scoring shots to one in the opening term.