As the sun went down over Cockburn ARC, West Coast took to the turf for their pre-season practice match against 2021 finalists Fremantle.

While it was a strong contest from both sides, it was West Coast who eventually defeated the Dockers (5.2) 30 to (3.5) 23 for the first time in the club’s three-year AFLW history.

After six months of pre-season training, the match begun in hot dispute with both sides attempting to win the contest early, but it was West Coast’s prized first-round draft pick Charlie Thomas who managed the first clearance of the game, snapping the ball towards the 50-metre line and using the breeze to her advantage.

From there it was a battle by foot for Irish product Niamh Kelly, who managed to pick up the ball and use her crafty speed in the forward pocket to outrun the Fremantle defenders.

Kelly then rushed the ball towards former West Coast Fever netballer, Andrea Gilmore, who conducted an impressive display of aerial ability and took the mark 10 metres out from goal, following it up with a clean shot and the first major of the match.

Back in the middle it was a scuffle for a clearance with both sides hungry to put boot to ball, but it was senior leader Aisling McCarthy who made the connection and sent it deep inside 50 to Melissa Caulfield who took the ball on the run.

From there, the Eagles used forward pressure to lock the ball inside the offensive arc – and despite a minor spillage out to the wing – a repeat entry from Aimee Schmidt saw Thomas snap the second goal of the game for West Coast.

This led the Eagles into the first break with a 13-point lead, while keeping the Dockers scoreless on their home turf.

In the second quarter, Fremantle came out firing, with Gemma Houghton scoring Fremantle’s first major of the match in a goal square soccer kick. But Maddy Collier’s follow-up must be commended after diving and narrowly missing a finger on the ball.

The Dockers then tried to capitalise on their first of the match and were quick out of the contest, but it was a fantastic mark from new recruit Evie Gooch that halted Fremantle’s plans.

Sending the ball sailing to the near wing and vice-captain Dana Hooker, West Coast were able to manage another inside 50 entry to Mikayla Bowen, who won a free in the goal square and rapidly scored West Coast’s third of the match.

Thomas then created another fantastic opportunity with 25-metre pass to Aimee Schmidt, who kicked deep inside the Eagles’ forward 50. Gilmore picked up the ball and snapped it through the sticks for the Eagles’ fourth – and her second – of the match.

The premiership quarter started off slowly as both teams shook off the cobwebs after the long break, with Fremantle managing a few entries inside 50 which resulted in minor scores, but it was a smother from Sophie McDonald off half-back which started an eventual chain reaction to the Eagles’ forward-line.

Imahra Cameron then laid an impressive rundown tackle, with the ball dribbling out of West Coast’s 50 metre arc and ending in a battle on ground. But West Coast’s forwards persevered, eventually looping the ball back inside 50 after Fremantle rushed it out on the full.

From there the Eagles’ numbers were out in full force, with Hayley Bullas eventually taking advantage and snaring West Coast’s fifth goal for the match, as well as a 20-point lead.

The fourth quarter begun with two goals to Fremantle, who narrowed the deficit to 10 points. From there the battle was on with Eagles fans anxiously holding their breath.

A free kick to Fremantle in their forward-line came at the right moment, with the clock ticking down to just under three minutes. But, was new draftee Emily Bennett saved the day and picked off the mark.

Despite a few final attempts from the Dockers, it was too late in the contest, and West Coast eventually took home their first victory against the side by 10 points.