Where and when: Mineral Resources Park (Whadjuk), Saturday, August 27, 1:10pm (AWST)

TV: Live on 7mate in WA, Fox Footy and the AFL Live Official app.

Last time we met: N/A

West Coast will be looking to kick their season off strong against newcomers Port Adelaide who are sure to be fired up to play their first ever game of AFLW. The Eagles have named eight debutants in a side that has turned their focus towards building for the future and developing together to ultimately achieve long term success down the track.

What it means for the Eagles: After a pre-season that ultimately uncovered a lot of positive signs for a newly turned over list, the Eagles will expect to perform well against Port Adelaide while being wary of an expansion team that will want to stamp their mark on the competition. The result of this match will give some indication where West Coast are placed early in this competition.

The stat: The Eagles will be seeking to win a round one match for the first time in their fourth AFLW season. 

11:13

Prior and Simmons press conference 24.08.22

West coast AFLW senior coach and eagles debutant player Isabella Simmons speaks to the media ahead of their round 1 match against Port Adelaide.

The match-up: Jessica Sedunary v Julia Teakle

Jessica Sedunary will look to establish herself as a key defender in this Eagles side and there’s no better way to do it than shutting down West Australian local Julia Teakle during her hometown return. Seeing that both these players have essentially swapped states to represent their AFLW clubs it only seems fitting that these two will go take each other head-to-head in their first match of season seven. The aim will be to make life hard for Teakle as she looks to leave her mark on this league and there’s nobody better to fit that role than premiership-winning ex-Crow Sedunary.

It’s a big week for: Emma Swanson

Eagles’ skipper Emma Swanson will be eager to get her team off on the right foot this season and start to instil match-winning confidence into a new-look squad that includes eight debutants this weekend. Aside from her outstanding individual play, Swanson’s leadership will be key to keeping a young group grounded and focussed on the task at hand no matter the result.

Big call: Krstel Petrevski will break out from the interchange and have a career game leading in disposals by the final siren.