The West Coast Eagles will get their 2023 AFLW campaign underway on Sunday against Fremantle in the AFLW RAC Derby at Fremantle Oval.

Experienced midfielder and Eagles Club Champion Dana Hooker said the team is ready and prepared for round one.

“We’re excited, it’s been a good pre-season, 13-odd weeks, so we’re ready for round one,” Hooker said.

“It’s great to get into it with the side that we’ve got and we’re going to front up on the weekend.

“A derby is always a great way to kick off a season, and playing at Fremantle Oval, it’s a nice atmosphere down there and it will surely bring a great crowd.

“We’re just excited, no nerves, I’m sure that will come a little bit later in the week, but we’re feeling prepared and ready to go.”

Entering her eighth season in the league, Hooker said the growth within the competition and the team has been positive.

“I think every year that I’ve been in the competition I’ve seen massive growth,” Hooker said.

“The group that we’ve got this year, even though it is the second youngest team in the comp, what we’ve been able to put forward this pre-season, the behaviours and standards that we’ve seen amongst the group has been really positive.

“Our leadership group and a few others are usually the ones really driving the standards and behaviours, but it’s coming from the bottom up as well, and that shows us that we’re building the depth that we really need to be a successful team in the comp.”

Emerging forward-ruck Lauren Wakfer will make her Eagles debut in round one, after being ruled out of last season with an ACL injury.

Hooker has been impressed with Wakfer’s hard work and determination following her recovery.  

“’Wak’ is a really great girl and it’s been really good to get to know her and have her a part of the team over the past couple of seasons,” Hooker said.

“Lauren has fought so hard this pre-season, she’s gained confidence in her body, what she’s done over the last couple of weeks, she really blossomed over the two scratch-matches, and we can see her confidence growing and growing.

“We’re excited for her to debut this week, she obviously adds some height but also some real talent to the stuff at ground level as well for us, so I have no doubt that she’s going to perform throughout this season for us and we’re excited to have her.”

After being notified of her round one selection on Monday night, Wakfer said it’s a dream come true to pull on the blue and gold.

“I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet,” Wakfer said.

“I’m just getting around everyone at the moment, it’s a really exciting time and a dream come true getting to debut in a derby in round one.

“I’m just really excited to get around the girls and pull on the blue and gold with them all and get out there and run amuck with them.”

Having spent the entirety of last season watching on from the sidelines, Wakfer said she still learnt a lot about the game and had a great support system around her.

“I was always itching to get on the field, watching from the sidelines was hard,” Wakfer said.

“But you learn so much on the sidelines that you’re not necessarily learning when you’re playing games, and as hard as it was being on the sidelines, you get so many great connections with other people.

“I was lucky enough to have a really good group of people around me, they were just incredible.”