Where and when: GMHBA Stadium (Wadawurrung), Friday, February 4, 4:10pm (AWST)
TV: Fox Footy, 7 Mate, Kayo and the AFLW website
Last time we met: West Coast 8.5 (53) def. Geelong 2.2 (14) at Mineral Resources Park, round seven, 2021.
The West Coast Eagles had their first big win against Geelong last season, after the forwards managed to hit the scoreboard and seal a 39-point victory. After coming into the first quarter break with four points to Geelong’s zero, Imahra Cameron was the difference in the second and booted three goals in the space of six minutes to propel West Coast to a 21-point lead. The Irish contingent also played their part with Niamh and Grace Kelly kicking two apiece across the match, while Melissa Caulfield also contributed with a major of her own.
What it means for the Eagles: After two postponed matches in Melbourne, West Coast are more than ready to play their first game in 13 days. The Eagles will also be hoping for their first win of the season after falling to Fremantle, Gold Coast and Adelaide in the first three rounds of the season, and will come up against a competitive side in Geelong. The Cats currently sit at second in the league for spoils (82) and ground ball gets (286), meaning West Coast must be prepared for a battle at ground level, and will have to win in the contest to collect their first premiership points of the season.
The stat: The Eagles must look at what went right in their previous match against Geelong, where they won by 39 points. Hitting the scoreboard is a must, and West Coast attacked well last season, with 32 inside 50 entries to Geelong’s 22 a noticeable difference.
The match-up: Chloe Scheer v Belinda Smith
Geelong’s big name recruit will be looking for a repeat performance after last week’s match against reigning premiers Brisbane, where she kicked three goals in the space of 15 minutes. But classy defender Smith will be tasked with ensuring Geelong’s inside 50 entries are rendered ineffective this Friday, as well as keeping the ball away from Scheer’s hands as much as possible. Smith is currently fourth in the league for intercept possessions with an average of 7.3 a game and will be a key contributor this weekend as the Eagle with the most marks taken (13) this season.
It's a big week for: Niamh Kelly
After missing the round three match against Adelaide with general soreness, speedy wing Niamh Kelly will be fit and ready to go for Friday’s game against Geelong. In round seven last season Kelly set the precedent across the match, finding space and booting two goals as well as finishing the game with 18 disposals, four marks and three tackles.
Big call: Aimee Schmidt to kick three goals in her fourth match as an Eagle.
