Young defender Beth Schilling will make her debut at Optus Stadium in the round nine clash against the Western Bulldogs, after impressing senior coach Michael Prior with work rate and effort on the training track.
The 18-year-old will get some reward for effort in the final home game of the season, and will be a part of West Coast’s first-ever match under lights at Optus Stadium alongside 2021 draftee Charlie Thomas and ruck-forward Sarah Lakay.
Inaugural Eagle Courtney Guard also makes her return to the team after announcing her retirement from football at the end of this year, having played three seasons with West Coast including two as a senior leader.
Guard has played 21 games with the Eagles and has made a monumental impact on the club culture, but has retired to pursue a career as Head of Sport at Perth College, and start a family with partner, Chris.
At the opposite end of the ground, Melissa Caulfield will come back into the side in her first match since round five against Geelong and will be joined in the forward-line by goal sneak Imahra Cameron, Aimee Schmidt and versatile defender Evie Gooch.
Crafty forward Schmidt has been essential in West Coast’s line up this year after being recruited from GWS, snapping seven goals across eight games to lead the Eagles’ top goal scorer position above skipper Emma Swanson with three.
Captain Swanson will again play onball with a fractured finger and has had a career-best season with her influence on the contest second-to-none.
She’ll be joined in the Eagles’ engine room by hardnosed midfielder Bella Lewis and Dana Hooker, while youngster Lakay will start in the ruck.
On the outside, speedster Mikayla Bowen will again star on the wing after a season-best performance against Brisbane last Sunday, with 19 disposals and six tackles.
In the backline, there are two surprise entries this weekend with Grace Kelly to join the defensive unit alongside Andrea Gilmore to provide some height.
Young draftees Courtney Rowley and Emily Bennett have been omitted, as has versatile forward Kellie Gibson and defender Lauren Gauci.
