After a disappointing first quarter – being held goalless for the sixth of seven matches this season – the West Coast Eagles showed promising signs across the remaining three stanzas against Richmond to come away with their second-highest score in AFLW history.

But, despite kicking seven goals to Richmond’s six after the first break, senior coach Michael Prior said the side must look at a number of factors which could improve the team’s first quarters in their remaining three matches.

“It’s something that we’ve definitely got to look at, our starts in games have been poor for the whole year, so we’ve got to look at our warm up, what we’re doing,” Prior said.

“I just said to the girls, they’ve got to look at what they’re doing pre-game, take ownership of their preparation as well, it’s a massive concern for us.

“The other thing that didn’t help us today was the free kicks we gave away inside our defensive-50, we gave them five goals from free kicks.

“I’ll have a close look at them, see whether they were there or they weren’t there, but there was some undisciplined stuff as well in that mix.

“A couple of them were in the first quarter, so it just helps them get good starts and us get poor starts.”

Despite the loss, skipper Emma Swanson led the side supremely with 22 disposals, two goals and seven tackles and received player of the day honours from the senior coach.

“Really pleasing for ‘Swanny’, not only for today but for the year she’s had,” Prior said.

“She’s been our best mid, performed in every game she’s played in. She’s been outstanding throughout the midfield.

“The way she’s played this year and the way she’s led our club has been second to none.

“She’s had another fantastic day today, she kicked a couple of goals, she had 22 or 23, so really rapt with her."

2021 recruit Aimee Schmidt also shone in the forward line with three goals – including two in the final quarter – furthering her push for West Coast’s top goal scorer of the year with Swanson next on the leader board.

“When she marks the ball she should throw it on the ground and pick it up and snap it, that’s the way she kicks her goals at the moment,” Prior said.

“She’s been sensational for us since coming across from GWS, she’s really led our front half and she’s looked dangerous and she’s had looks on goal in every game she’s played.

“Some of the goals she got today was just the reward for the work she’s putting in, and her work rate today was outstanding to get those opportunities.”