West Coast has had its first taste of victory for the AFLW season after a nailbiting two-point triumph against St Kilda ensured the Eagles would fly home from their Melbourne hub celebrating their first win under coach Michael Prior.
In an inspired performance just four days after a heartbreaking loss to Geelong, the ball lived in the Eagles’ forward half for the majority of the match as the visitors refused to depart Victoria without securing four premiership points.
Despite kicking four behinds in the first term – including a surprise effort from half-back Evie Gooch – the Eagles appeared unflappable and held on during a tense final term to secure the team's first-ever triumph outside Western Australia 2.10 (22) to 2.8 (20).
Bella Lewis had a standout performance, with 18 disposals and five tackles, while Mikayla Bowen was also handy as an outside midfielder, finishing the day with 13 disposals and five tackles.
As West Coast’s younger contingent continued to grow, there was also plenty to like from the more senior players in the group with Dana Hooker (20 tackles and five tackles) and skipper Emma Swanson (19, five) also impressing throughout the match.
Young gun Charlie Thomas (12 disposals) looked right at home and did some good things with the ball, managing to find some space to move the ball freely in the Eagles’ back and forward lines.
West Coast's forward 50 tackle pressure was one of the most impressive aspects of the day, with the Eagles creating a multitude of scoring opportunities after bringing down opposition in their offensive arc.
The Eagles forwards must also be commended for their non-stop work in the second quarter, with goals from Aimee Schmidt and Kellie Gibson handing the team a one-point lead at the long break.
West Coast managed to carry the momentum into the third quarter, with Swanson taking a terrific 'speccy' and booting a minor score, with Hooker, Niamh Kelly and Shanae Davison also having shots on goal.
Ashton Hill also put her body on the line with a goal-saving face smother, in a resilient last effort to uphold West Coast’s lead.
In a terrifically-contested last quarter, West Coast managed to hold on to the lead to take home their first win of the season.
The team battled it out well all day on the ground and in the air, winning the contested possession count (96 to 89) and beating St Kilda in inside 50 entries (31 to 27).
West Coast will now board a flight home to Perth and are committed to playing out the rest of the season, and thank the AFL, WA Government and WAPOL for their ongoing assistance.
DETAILS
St Kilda 1.0 2.4 2.5 2.8 (20)
West Coast 0.4 2.5 2.9 2.10 (22)
GOALS
St Kilda Greiser, Matin
West Coast Schmidt, Gibson
BEST
St Kilda White, Priest, Lucas-Rodd, Van Dykm Jakobsson
West Coast Swanson, Hooker, Lewis, Bowen, Laurie, Smith
INJURIES
St Kilda Nil
West Coast Nil
Reports Nil
