Where and when: Mineral Resources Park (Whadjuk), Sunday, February 13, 12:10pm (AWST)
TV: 7, Kayo and the AFLW website
Last time we met: Collingwood 5.8 (38) def. West Coast 1.5 (11) at Victoria Park, round one, 2020.
The West Coast Eagles played their inaugural match against Collingwood in round one 2020, with Dana Hooker making history as the first Eagle to kick a goal in the AFLW competition. Emma Swanson led the side supremely, with the captain and Hooker both finishing with 18 disposals and four tackles. Imahra Cameron was also impressive with 13 and seven. Despite this, the experienced Magpies were too strong for the Eagles and eventually overran the side by 27 points.
What it means for the Eagles: West Coast have come away with their first win of the season after a tight finish against St Kilda on Tuesday. Now, they look to topple one of the inaugural teams in the competition for the first time in the club’s history. A win on Sunday would also prove the side are developing across each season, as they try to clinch their first back-to-back win in the AFLW competition. Doing so with a raft of new young players would also showcase the Eagles’ growth in this area, as they come up against a seasoned team who have been in the league for five years as opposed to West Coast’s three.
The stat: In their first-ever match in the AFLW competition, West Coast did well to take the lead into quarter time, and were only one goal down at the long break. But it was again inside 50 efficiency (27.3%) and marks inside 50 (two to Collingwood’s 10) that let the team down. This has been something senior coach Michael Prior has been working on across the season and the team are looking to improve this weekend.
The match-up: Bella Lewis v Brittany Bonnici
One of West Coast youngest players, Lewis, will look to match it with one of the competitions’ most experienced midfielders in Bonnici. A member of the Collingwood leadership group in 2018 and ’19, as well as the Pies Best Player in Finals and runner-up Best and Fairest in 2020, Bonnici boasts a strong work ethic in the middle and is one of the competition’s toughest in the contest. But, in her debut season last year, Lewis took home West Coast’s Best and Fairest award for her hard-running style of play and courageous attitude onball, and won’t shirk the battle with Bonnici in the round six clash.
It's a big week for: Evie Gooch
With West Coast’s defensive system missing Amber Ward (finger) and Sophie McDonald (concussion), Evie Gooch will be manning the backline in her new role as an informal leader. The experienced key position player will have to step up after the loss of two important teammates and hold down the fort alongside intercept defender Belinda Smith.
Big call: Andrea Gilmore boots the match-winner as well as her first goal for the year.
