The West Coast Eagles had a bright start to Sunday’s game against Sydney, before the Swans took control in the visitors' 13-point defeat at Henson Park.
The Eagles showed excellent pressure around the ground in the first term, dominating the time inside 50, but were unable to convert on the scoreboard on what was a perfect day for football.
Sydney made the most of their opportunities in front of goal, Chloe Molloy and Cynthia Hamilton kicking the first two majors of the game, and the home side asserted their dominance in the second quarter on the way to a 5.4 (34) to 2.9 (21) triumph.
West Coast’s Kellie Gibson kicked the Eagles' first goal of the day, and her fifth goal for the season, against the flow of Swans traffic to reduce the margin to an attainable 14 points at the main break.
An incredible goal from Emma Swanson brought West Coast within just seven points in the third quarter, with the skipper snapping a checkside for a Goal of the Year contender, before Aisling McCarthy's minor score brought the game within a kick late in the third quarter.
Eagles defenders Charlie Thomas and Sophie McDonald worked hard in the backline to limit Sydney’s influence, taking some pivotal intercept marks and remaining poised under pressure, keeping the Swans to just one point in the third term.
The Eagles kept pushing in the fourth quarter but couldn't bridge the gap as Sydney secured its second win of the campaign.
Swanson (22 disposals) and veteran Dana Hooker (16, nine tackles) fought valiantly to get the Eagles over the line, while Belinda Smith (19 disposals) and McCarthy (18) had plenty of the ball.
Sydney's Ally Morphett was dominant in the ruck, racking up 20 touches, 10 clearances and 33 hit-outs, with Laura Gardiner (18 disposals, 11 clearances), Molloy (13, two goals) and Bella Smith (two goals) prominent.
The Eagles return home for a Friday night clash with Port Adelaide at Mineral Resources Park in round five.
SYDNEY 2.0 4.1 4.2 5.4 (34)
WEST COAST 0.4 1.5 2.7 (19)
GOALS
Sydney: Molloy 2, Smith 2, Hamilton
West Coast: Gibson, Swanson
BEST
Sydney: Morphett, Gardiner, Smith, Molloy, Kennedy
West Coast: Swanson, B Smith, McCarthy, Thomas, Hooker
INJURIES
Sydney: Nil
West Coast: Nil
Crowd: 4,595 at Henson Park
