Why Tim Gossage thinks West Coast is closer to a flag than Fremantle

Which WA side is closer to a premiership?

That was the question posed by SEN WA’s Tim Gossage to his co-host and former Coleman Medallist Scott Cummings.

Gossage’s query came after the Eagles shocked the Dockers 105-68 in Saturday night’s Derby at Optus Stadium.

While everyone agrees that Freo is the team far more likely to play finals in 2024 out of the Perth sides, Gossage thinks that the Eagles will win another flag before their neighbours claim their first.

Cummings disagreed, thinking that Fremantle are knocking on the door of a premiership if they get their act together given the young guns that they have at their disposal.

The duo debated the question and gave their responses on SEN WA Breakfast.

Gossage: “I’ve got a really tough question for you to answer - Who wins the next premiership between the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle?

“Don't give a time frame. It's not about a time frame.

“Which team right now would you rather be coaching to win a flag?”

Cummings: “Right now, to win a flag? Fremantle.

“I think Fremantle will have a better list, they have a more solid list, there’s no doubt about that.

“Fremantle, if they can get their act together, are knocking on a premiership closer than West Coast.

“If Fremantle don't win one in the next five years, they're never, ever going to win one.”

Gossage: “West Coast will win another flag before Fremantle wins their first. Absolutely.

“West Coast’s list is young. They've got their seniors who still just add enough to allow time for the development of that next group coming through.

“They're going to get some tasty numbers at the draft again, they're going to probably have some pulling power to the football club.

“Fremantle's list is their list. Nat Fyfe will be gone, Walters will be gone (when they next challenge). Is the Luke Jackson/Sean Darcy thing happening? Is it working?”

Cummings: “The problem with West Coast is they've lost their opportunity to trade quality players (for value).

“They are now senior players fighting to hang on and they will finish their career at West Coast.

“They've lost that ability to get something really good for some players that you might be shocked that they’d trade.

“They will just have to go to the draft. The problem is if they want to bring players in, they're going to have to give up some picks and they don't want to do that.”

West Coast will hope to go 3-4 when they face Gold Coast at People First Stadium on Sunday.

Fremantle will be desperate to bounce back and go 4-3 when they meet the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.