The West Coast Eagles hosted cross-town rivals Fremantle at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday morning for a pre-season practice match, falling to the Dockers in a 3.8 (26) v 6.4 (40) defeat.
West Coast had 13 AFLW listed players suit up for the clash, and in collaboration with the WAFC and WAFLW, were topped up with non-selected WAFLW state game players for the occasion.
The Eagles started well in the first quarter, holding a lot of the ball in their forward half and competing well at the contest.
Freo took control mid-way through the first, kicking the only two goals of the term, despite some impressive back line work from Eagles reigning club champion Charlie Thomas.
The Dockers continued their scoreboard dominance in the second quarter, kicking their third goal early in the term.
West Coast remained strong in the contest and applied some nice tackling pressure around the ground but were unable to translate their effort into goals on the scoreboard.
Fremantle kicked their fourth goal in the dying seconds of the second quarter, taking a 23-point lead into the main break.
Eagles coach Daisy Pearce made some moves around the ground in the third, including bringing experienced defender Belinda Smith into full-forward.
West Coast had goal opportunities throughout the third term but were still unable to convert, while an accurate Fremantle added another two goals for the quarter.
The fourth quarter provided some solace for the Eagles, a crucial spoil from Amy Franklin helped set up the team’s first goal, coming off the boot of top-up player Jess Verbrugge.
A snap around the body from new recruit Jess Hosking saw back-to-back Eagles goals, before Franklin slotted a lovely set shot goal from 40 metres out for the team’s third major.
While the Dockers were much more effective with ball in hand, especially in the first half, West Coast finished the game with one more scoring shot than the visitors.
Star West Coast defender Sophie McDonald impressed with her clean ball movement and composure under pressure, while vice-captain Bella Lewis led from the front and worked tirelessly around the ground.
BEST
Lewis, Bakker, McDonald, Thomas, L Wakfer
GOALS
Verbrugge, Hosking, Franklin
