1. West Coast secured their first win of the 2023 season with an excellent performance to defeat Port Adelaide by six points at Mineral Resources Park on Friday night. The developing Eagles side showed what they are capable of, displaying a full four-quarter effort, polished skills, scoreboard accuracy and defensive dominance. This win will instil confidence in the young squad, and they will look to take this momentum and energy into next weekend’s game against GWS.
2. Coming off a very short turnaround, with limited training time during the week, the Eagles really locked in on what they needed to improve on from the weekend prior against Sydney, with a big focus on the connection between the midfielders and forwards and converting their forward 50 entries into goals. West Coast were efficient with their ball movement in their forward half, and made the most of their opportunities, finishing with season-high six goals, including two goals to Aisling McCarthy and Kate Bartlett, and one goal each to Bella Lewis and Kellie Gibson.
3. The Eagles defenders were outstanding, applying pressure to Port Adelaide’s forwards throughout the game, and showing composure and footy smarts around the contest, nullifying some of Port’s big-name contributors. Emerging defender Charlie Thomas produced her best game of the season, finishing with a game-high 24 disposals and five marks, while Belinda Smith and Sophie McDonald also played pivotal roles in the Eagles backline.
4. Captain Emma Swanson proved once again what a valuable leader and teammate she is, with another impressive performance in her 50th AFLW game. Swanson finished with an outstanding 23 disposals, six marks and four tackles, with the win capping off a fairy tale milestone game for the West Coast skipper.
5. The Eagles return to the road to take on GWS in round six. The Giants, who are yet to win a game so far this season, will come into this matchup on the back of a 30-point defeat to the Kangaroos, and will be desperate to lock in four points and elevate themselves from the bottom of the AFLW ladder. West Coast will need to come into the game with the same pressure and intensity they showed against Port to continue to build in the second half of the season.
