Where and when: Mineral Resources Park (Whadjuk), Saturday, February 19, 4:10pm (AWST)
TV: 7, Kayo and the AFLW website
Tickets: Available for purchase here, $10 for adults and free for children.
Last time we met: Richmond 5.12 (42) def. West Coast 5.4 (34) at Swinburne Centre Punt Road Oval, round eight, 2021.
Coming off a dominant 39-point win against Geelong in round seven at Mineral Resources Park, the West Coast Eagles were looking for their third win for the season against Richmond at Swinburne Centre Punt Road Oval. The ground was sodden and a downpour continued across the match, presenting challenging conditions for an Eagles outfit missing skipper Emma Swanson (suspension) and vice-captain Dana Hooker (foot). After Aisling McCarthy (corked thigh) went down in the opening minutes, West Coast’s midfield felt the heat and came into the half-time break 22 points down, having scored only two minors across the first half. After an inspired speech from then-coach Daniel Pratt, the Eagles displayed their trademark resilience and fought back to narrowly lose the clash by eight points.
What it means for the Eagles: West Coast are looking for their second win of the season under new senior coach Michael Prior, and their first in front of a home crowd at Mineral Resources Park. After a 24-point loss to Collingwood, the Eagles are keen to bounce back and put into practice their learnings across the week. The match against the Magpies was the Eagles’ third clash in the space of eight days, and the team will be coming off a longer break this weekend – as well as two training sessions that weren’t possible with a condensed fixture – and are looking to bring a revitalised performance against Richmond.
The stat: West Coast must look to match it in the middle with Richmond this weekend and take on the contest after being beaten in marks (40 to 26) and contested possessions (115 to 96) in round eight 2021. The Eagles will also need to bring the same pressure as last year, after beating the Tigers in tackles (68 to 49) and one percenters (38 to 23).
The match-up: Emma Swanson v Monique Conti
West Coast skipper Swanson will take on Richmond’s most damaging midfielder, Conti, this Saturday. The two-time Tigers Best and Fairest has looked dangerous in the Richmond engine room this year, far eclipsing her first four years in the competition. Meanwhile the Eagles’ powerhouse Swanson is also having her best season to date, averaging 21.6 disposals (to Conti’s 24) as well as 3.2 marks (to Conti’s 1.8) and five tackles (to Conti’s 5.7). The experienced midfielders will go head-to-head this weekend in what’s set to be an even match-up in the middle.
It's a big week for: Emily Bennett
After being selected in West Coast’s 2021 AFLW draft pool, Bennett will get an opportunity to play against Richmond after impressing senior coach Prior. The medium defender is a tackling machine and also can compound impressive rebound 50 numbers when given the opportunity. The 19-year-old can also compete at ground level which will give West Coast an inside edge this weekend with some taller defenders in the mix.
Big call: Niamh Kelly earns best Eagle afield honours with two goals and top disposal numbers for West Coast.
