What’s On | Round 5
West Coast Eagles v Port Adelaide
Friday, September 29 | 7.15pm (AWST) | Mineral Resources Park / Whadjuk
Gates open 6.15pm

This Friday night, be there from 7.15pm as we take on Port Adelaide in round 5 of the 2023 NAB AFLW season at Mineral Resources Park!

Entry to Friday’s match is FREE for all AFLW members. If you're looking to purchase additional tickets, head to Ticketmaster now for $10 adult tickets, with free entry for juniors under 18. Please note that all patrons, including juniors, need to book a ticket for the match.

Mobile Ticketing

Member tickets are now available in your West Coast Eagles Account, and in the official West Coast Eagles app. Avoid match day delays by downloading the official West Coast Eagles app and logging in to your West Coast Eagles account now, ahead of Friday’s match.

Screenshots of tickets will not permit entry into any matches across the AFLW season.

Where possible, patrons are advised to avoid bringing a bag to the match, as most delays at the gates are due to bag checks. If you do need to bring a bag, aim to bring a small bag only.

Getting to Mineral Resources Park

Entry will open from 6.15pm at Gate 1, via Goddard Street. Those with wheelchairs or other accessibility needs may enter via West Coast Eagles Reception on Bishopsgate Street.

We recommend using public transport where possible. The closest train station is Victoria Park, with a 700m walk to the venue.

Be sure to plan your journey ahead with Transperth’s Journey Planner, and please note, the cost of public transport is not included in your match-day ticket. 

With no onsite parking available, limited parking is available in streets surrounding the venue; should you choose to park on the street, please pay close attention to any signage to avoid parking fines.

Fan Zone location for 2023

Head to the northwest corner of the oval for some great kids’ and family activities!

Find the roaming photobooth and snap your picture, enjoy face painting by the Freedom Fairies, and test your skills on the giant inflatable dartboard. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the dance cam in the quarter time breaks!

From 6.40pm to 7.00pm, meet and greet with available AFLW players pre-match, to have a picture taken.

The Hungry Jack’s outlet will be open for the match, along with a local food truck and ice-cream van for your enjoyment.

Carlton Dry will be bringing the excitement of Siren Sessions to Friday night footy at Mineral Resources Park. Be sure to head across to the Carlton Dry Siren Sessions activation on the eastern bank, to enjoy the fun and entertainment of Siren Sessions (18+ only).

The West Coast Eagles SuperStore marquee will be open with selected AFLW merchandise available for purchase – show your support for the blue and gold!

Where and when: Mineral Resources Park, Friday, September 29, 7:15pm

TV: Live on 7 and 7plus, Fox Footy, Kayo, the AFL and AFLW Live Official apps.

Last time we met: West Coast 6.4 (40) defeated Port Adelaide 4.4 (28) at Mineral Resources Park, round one, 2022.

West Coast opened season seven with a bang against Port, defeating the visitors by 12 points at Mineral Resources Park in round one. Port, one of the four new clubs granted entry to the competition that season, led by 12 points at three-quarter time, but some final-term momentum and four goals from the Eagles saw West Coast complete an incredible comeback and secure the four points. Midfield ace Aisling McCarthy led the way for the Eagles, finishing with 18 disposals and eight tackles, while Emma Swanson (21 disposals, four marks) and Bella Lewis (16 disposals, six tackles) also played a pivotal role in the win.

What it means for the Eagles: With the half-way point approaching for the season, the Eagles will be desperate to get a win on the board against Port this weekend. They have shown promise in multiple games this season, but the consistency with pressure and intensity has been lacking from week to week. West Coast will need to produce a full, four-quarter effort on Friday night to lock away their first victory of 2023.

The stat: Emma Swanson currently leads the West Coast Eagles in all-time kicks (458), handballs (261), disposals (719), contested possessions (359), and tackles (179).

Oppo in focus: Three-time AFLW premiership star Erin Phillips will be one to watch this round, the highly experienced midfielder leading Port in her second season with the club. Phillips is known for her accuracy and goal sense and continues to have a damaging impact around the ground. She comes into this game following a 15-disposal game against Geelong last round, Port falling by 28 points at home.

It’s a big week for: Emma Swanson

West Coast skipper Emma Swanson will play her 50^th AFLW game on Friday night. Swanson has consistently performed at a high-class level over her career to date and has had an outstanding season in what has been a tough start to 2023 for West Coast. Swanson’s contributions around the ground and guiding leadership will go a long way against Port Adelaide for her young Eagles side. 

Big call: Claremont product Ella Smith will kick a goal in her first game of the season after making her way back into the starting 21 for Friday night’s game. 

The West Coast Eagles are on the board in the 2023 AFLW season after holding on for a nailbiting six-point triumph over Port Adelaide on Friday night.

In a ferocious contest played in perfect conditions, the Eagles had some tense moments before Kate Bartlett bobbed up and slotted back-to-back goals in the final term to seemingly put the contest to bed.

Bartlett dribbled through her first from close range before a long set shot was shepherded through on the goalline to all-but secure the four points at Mineral Resources Park.

Port Adelaide spearhead Gemma Houghton hit back for the visitors with a long bomb minutes later, before the Eagles wound down the clock in the dying minutes on the way to a 6.3 (39) to 4.9 (33) triumph.

The victory franked the Eagles’ belief there had been positives to take from a winless opening four rounds and was built on a unwavering commitment to the contest and willingness to play with dash and dare.

Irish star Aisling McCarthy was outstanding, slotting two crucial goals and picking up 22 disposals alongside skipper Emma Swanson (24) in midfield.

Emerging ruck Lauren Wakfer showed her brimming talent with her best game to date, winning 14 disposals and as many hit-outs in a tough battle against Matilda Scholz.

Wakfer held two strong marks late in the physical final term, while the Eagles backline stood tall led by another young gun Charlie Thomas (24 disposals) and the experienced Belinda Smith (21).

West Coast twice opened up an eight-point lead during the third quarter but only held a one-point advantage at the final change as the Power kept surging back into the contest.

Midfield jet Abbey Dowrick was tireless for the visitors, finishing with 22 touches and nine clearances, while Houghton (two goals) worked into the game after an engrossing duel with Sophie McDonald.

Port did all the attacking early but West Coast’s backline withstood the barrage before the Eagles chained the ball up the field and converted from their first inside 50.

After speaking during the week about her disappointment at missing shots against Sydney, McCarthy split the middle on the run to ignite the Eagles.

West Coast’s speed and changes of direction had the Port on the back foot, with Swanson running herself into the ground to inspire her team.

But the Power struck back just before quarter-time, with Madeline Keryk making the most of a flying shot to hand the visitors a one-point lead at the first change.

Both sides missed some opportunities in arm-wrestle of a second stanza, with some desperate defending from Eagles veteran Evie Gooch helping to key Port at bay.

Moments after a goalmouth scramble denied Power star Erin Phillips, forward Kellie Gibson got free out the back and goaled from point-blank range to give West Coast a slender two-point lead at the main change.

Eagles defender Sasha Goranova did a superb job blanketing Phillips as the Power’s match-winner was held to 10 touches and a clever left-foot goal during a see-sawing third term.

But West Coast never relented and held their composure late to secure victory and will head to face Greater Western Sydney seeking back-to-back wins in round six.

DETAILS

WEST COAST 1.2 2.3 4.3 6.3 (39)

PORT ADELAIDE 1.3 1.7 3.8 4.9 (33)

GOALS

West Coast: McCarthy 2, Bartlett 2, Gibson, Lewis

Port Adelaide: Houghton 2, Keryk, Phillips

BEST

West Coast: McCarthy, Swanson, Thomas, Smith, L.Wakfer, Bartlett

Port Adelaide: Dowrick, Scholz, Houghton, Stewart, O’Dea, Mules

INJURIES

West Coast: Nil

Port Adelaide: Nil

Crowd: TBC at Mineral Resources Park