The West Coast Eagles hosted St Kilda for their final pre-season practice match at Mineral Resources Park on Friday, the visitors securing an 8.7 (55) to 3.5 (23) victory on the road.

While the Eagles impressed early and controlled the possessions in the first term, St Kilda responded strongly and kicked five goals to two in the second half.

Jesse Wardlaw was unstoppable for the Saints with her intensity and application, wreaking havoc for West Coast’s defenders and finishing with four goals.

Two new Eagles’ recruits suited up for the game, Jayme Harken and Tess Lyons both donning the blue and gold for the first time after being recruited just days ago.

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Pearce post-match v St Kilda

Senior Coach Daisy Pearce spoke to the media after tonight’s practice match against St Kilda.

West Coast held the ball in their forward fifty for majority of the first quarter but were unable to convert from their set shots on goal.

St Kilda kicked the first major of the game through Ella Friend, and the visitors took a three-point lead into the quarter-time break.

Young defender Beth Schilling was a shining light for the Eagles, her intercept marking, second efforts and positioning was crucial around the ground.

The Saints stepped it up a notch in the second, Grace Kelly opened the quarter with a goal before Amy Franklin responded for the Eagles with a clean snap around the body to open West Coast’s account.

In what was a fiery contest between the two sides, the physicality was evident from the get-go and neither team were looking to back down from a scuffle.

Unforced errors and turnovers hurt the Eagles, struggling at times with ball movement and composure around the contest.

Eagles 2023 leading goal scorer Kellie Gibson opened the fourth quarter with West Coast’s second goal, but St Kilda responded once again through Wardlaw and continued to pile on the pressure.

Rising star Ella Roberts closed the margin to 32 points after the final siren, taking an inspiring mark inside West Coast’s forward fifty and converting the set shot.

The Eagles will now face Richmond in Week 1 of the 2024 AFLW season on Friday 30 August at Mineral Resources Park, bouncedown at 7:15pm.

WEST COAST       0.3     1.5      1.5      3.5 (23)
ST KILDA              1.0      3.2      5.4     8.7 (55)

GOALS
West Coast: Franklin, Gibson, Roberts. St Kilda: Wardlaw 4; Kelly 2; Friend, Boyd.

BEST
West Coast: Schilling, Thomas, Roberts, Gooch, Western, Lewis. St Kilda: Kelly, Wardlaw, Friend, Boyd, Lambert, Vesely.