Where and when: Skybus Stadium, Frankston (Bunurong), Friday, September 30, 6:10pm AEST (4:10pm AWST)
TV: Live on 7mate in WA, Fox Footy, Kayo and the AFL Live Official app.
Last time we met: N/A
New to the competition this year, Hawthorn notched its first victory last round with a four-point triumph over fellow expansion side the Sydney Swans. Jasmine Fleming, Lucy Wales and Tahlia Fellows all had impressive outings in the victory. The Hawks are a developing side, like West Coast, and Friday’s clash will be a great test to see how far both teams have come since the Eagles won a pre-season encounter at Mineral Resources Park by 29 points. With so much to prove from each club expect a high-paced, highlight-filled showdown.
What it means for the Eagles: This will be the third time West Coast faces an expansion team this season, having already taken on Port Adelaide and Essendon. After a disappointing result in round three against the Bombers, the Eagles won’t be underestimating the Hawks. However, this will be an opportunity for West Coast to notch a third victory for the first time in a single season in the team’s short history. There are plenty of exciting signs from the Eagles’ emerging team, including from youngsters like Jaide Britton, Ella Roberts, Charlie Thomas, Bella Lewis and Sarah Lakay, who was nominated for NAB AFLW Rising Star last round.
The stat: Lead ruck Sarah Lakay has won the second-most hit-outs (125) in the competition this season, only four behind Alice Edmonds from the Western Bulldogs, and the Eagles will be keen to capitalise on her dominance around clearances.
The match-up: Jasmine Fleming vs Bella Lewis
Hawthorn’s 17-year-old Jasmine Fleming enjoyed a quality outing last week against Sydney, earning a Rising Star nomination for her 16-disposal, 10-tackle performance, and she poses a threat this Friday night. Against Fremantle, Bella Lewis was the standout contributor for West Coast with 25 disposals, three clearances and four tackles, continuing her exciting development as one of the competition’s elite young midfielders. Despite this being Lewis’s third season in AFLW, the former best and fairest is still only 19. If either young gun can exert a significant influence on the match it will be telling in the result.
It’s a big week for: Sarah Lakay
Last week the 19-year-old ruck thrust herself into the spotlight by recording 42 hit-outs in a single match, the second highest number in AFLW history, subsequently earning herself a Rising Star nomination for round five. This week Lakay will have another big task facing Lucy Wales, who also had an impressive performance last week against Sydney with 23 hit-outs and 11 disposals.
Big call: Brilliant young forward Ella Roberts will kick her first goal in AFLW and finish with a pair of majors.
