Where and when: IKON Park, Tuesday, September 17, 7:15pm (5:15pm WST)

TV: Live on 7Mate and Fox Footy, and streaming live on Kayo

Last time we met: West Coast 3.4 (22) def. by Collingwood 7.4 (46) at Mineral Resources Park, round six, 2022.

A fightback from the Eagles fell short against a high-flying Magpies, the visitors producing fast handball movement and pace around the contest that West Coast were unable to counter. After a difficult start, the Eagles started moving the ball a bit better in the second quarter, but work rate didn’t convert to scoreboard pressure and Collingwood were too strong on the run. Skipper Emma Swanson impressed with 19 touches and three tackles, while experienced veteran Dana Hooker played her role well with 21 touches, six inside 50s and a goal.

What it means for the Eagles: The Eagles are currently sitting inside the top eight for the first time (at this point in the season) since joining the competition in 2020. It’s been a pleasing start to their 2024 campaign, and a win against the Pies will also mark the first time that West Coast has recorded three wins in a season. The Pies are coming off a 52-point loss to Brisbane last week and will be looking to bounce back at IKON Park on Tuesday night, so it will no doubt be a tough battle. But the belief is high amongst this developing Eagles group and a win on Tuesday night will be an exciting milestone for the club, and another good stepping stone for the remainder of the season.

The stat: This will be just the second time the Eagles have played in IKON Park, the first time being round eight in Season 7 against Geelong.

Oppo in focus: Brianna Davey

Collingwood captain Brianna Davey is a fearless inside mid who is regarded as one of the competition’s best. The 29-year-old All-Australian is coming off a team-high 22 disposals, 10 tackles and six clearances in last week’s loss to Brisbane.

It’s a big week for: The whole team.

This game will be the third game in 11 days for the Eagles, two of those games being part of an extended road trip in Melbourne. In what has been a relatively intense two weeks, the team now have the opportunity to return to Perth ahead of week five with a 3-1 record, a historic position for the club.

Big call: For the first time since joining the competition, the West Coast Eagles will record back-to-back victories, also marking the first time this team has won three games in a season.

The West Coast Eagles created history at Ikon Park this evening as they scored an impressive 17-point victory against Collingwood.

It was the club’s third win of the season and the first time in their five-and-a-half seasons in the AFLW competition that they have won more than two games. And we’re only four games into this 2024 campaign.

The victory against the Magpies also marked the first time the Eagles had scored consecutive victories, backing up from their 11-point victory over the Western Bulldogs last Thursday.

Coming off the four-day break they could have been excused for being a little fatigued, but the Eagles were relentless as they searched to build on their impressive start to the season.

After conceding the first two goals of the game, the Eagles rallied and controlled proceedings  with their pressure around the contest and physical approach, never allowing the opposition to get their game rolling.

The victory was again built around the wonderful midfield contributions of Bella Lewis and Ali Drennan while young star Ella Roberts was once more influential both in the engine room and also up forward.

Trailing by a goal at the first change the Eagles broke it open when they kicked four goals while holding Collingwood scoreless in the second and third terms.

Perhaps the definitive moment for West Coast, which exemplified the commitment and effort, came in the second term when Amy Franklin took a strong mark on the lead. In taking the grab she appeared to dislocate the little finger on her right hand.

Ignoring the pain she went back and converted her set shot from 30 metres from the pocket before going to the bench for treatment.

Drennan, somewhat unheralded before arriving in the off-season, was outstanding throughout and led all-comers with 25 possessions, four marks and two tackles. At her fourth club following stints with North Melbourne, St Kilda and Gold Coast she has been prominent in each of the club’s four games and has been pivotal in helping guide her young teammates.

Similarly Jess Hosking, who arrived via Richmond and Carlton, has been a driving force in the early successes and again she hit the scoreboard with two goals.

Jaide Britton and Mikayla Western provided speed and energy while veterans Emma Swanson and Belinda Smith, inaugural members of the Eagles squad, have relished the new look, fresh energy and game plan of AFLW legend Daisy Pearce.

Youngsters Jess Rentsch, Georgie Cleaver and Sanne Bakker underpinned the enthusiasm and energy of this group. Three players who have debuted this season have been full of enthusiasm and play with incredible spirit.

Details
West Coast Eagles        1.1        3.3        5.4        5.6    (36)
Collingwood                 2.1        2.1        2.1        3.1    (19)

Goals

West Coast Eagles: Hosking 2; Franklin, Lewis, Gibson. Collingwood: Barnett, Campbell, James.

Best

West Coast Eagles: Drennan, Lewis, Roberts, Hosking, Swanson, Thomas. Collingwood: Schleicher, Frederick, Rowe, Cann.