To celebrate the 25th year of Western Derby clashes, we're taking a trip back in time to recreate the build-up to the very first derby in 1995.

Head to thewest.com.au each day to re-live the daily 7NEWS and The West Australian stories from the time that captured the emotion and anticipation of the historic clash.

Today, we revisit West Coast’s decision to not allow Fremantle to perform their anchor-lift ritual and pre-game team song for the historic first derby showdown.

Read The West’s write-up below and watch the old 7NEWS sport story featuring Basil Zempilas in the player above.

MORE FROM 1995: Dockers enter derby week on a high thanks to unlikely eight-goal hero

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Eagles greats in race against time to be fit for historic clash

The West Coast Eagles have intensified the rivalry with Fremantle with their refusal to allow the Dockers to hold a series of on-field events before Sunday's match at Subiaco Oval.

The Dockers wanted to perform their usual pre-match entertainment for Perth games, including the theatrical raising of the anchor, prior to the start of the inaugural western derby.

However, the match is an Eagles home game and club chief executive Brian Cook said it reserved the right to set the schedule of events.

“It is our home match and we are not under any obligation to allow Fremantle to raise its anchor,” Cook said.

“The Dockers will be able to schedule their own events later in the year when the next western derby is their home fixture.”

Camera Icon The Dockers’ old anchor-lift ritual. Credit: Mogens Johansen

Fremantle chief executive David Hatt admitted the Dockers were disappointed at the Eagles' decision but hoped a similar situation could be avoided in the future.

“I have had a number of discussions with Brian about this matter over the past few days and we are confident these requests can be accommodated in later matches.”

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The historic clash has become a financial bonanza for both clubs.

Interest in Perth's two AFL teams has soared in the lead-up to their first battle and the Dockers and Eagles have cashed in on the demand for tickets to a match which is already a sell-out.

Cook claimed more than 300 membership packages had been sold this week as the club tried to cope with an enormous number of inquiries.

Play Video In this 1995 7NEWS flashback to the build-up to the first Western Derby, the Dockers have defied Rex Hunt's bleak prediction and enter Derby Week on a high after trouncing Sydney. The West Australian Video In this 1995 7NEWS flashback to the build-up to the first Western Derby, the Dockers have defied Rex Hunt's bleak prediction and enter Derby Week on a high after trouncing Sydney.

“That membership figure translates to about $25,000 in the kitty,” Cook said.

“The game is a sell-out and I think the public has realised that the only way they can be guaranteed to see these games is to be a member of either club.

“We now have about 26,700 members, which means that our membership numbers have increased by about ten per cent, even with the introduction of a second AFL team in Perth.”

Cook said the work-rate of the Eagles office staff and the number of public inquiries about the western derby was similar to the lead-up to a finals match.

“As it is our home game we have had to organise facilities such as parking, catering and transport as well as the on-field matters because this is the first match at Subiaco Oval this year,” Cook said.

“We urge people to be patient and to get to the game early.”

Play Video In this 1995 7NEWS flashback to the build-up to the first Western Derby, Eagles stars Peter Matera, John Worsfold and Guy McKenna aim to prove their fitness for the big game. The West Australian Video In this 1995 7NEWS flashback to the build-up to the first Western Derby, Eagles stars Peter Matera, John Worsfold and Guy McKenna aim to prove their fitness for the big game.

Hatt admitted the Dockers had sold a similar number of memberships but the most significant issue from the match was that emotion had returned to WA football supporters.

“People are talking about the match with a passion that had been missing for some time,” Hatt said.

Tomorrow: Spying and closed training sessions