The West Coast Eagles suffered a disappointing 66-point loss to Hawthorn on Saturday afternoon in Frankston.

In breezy but beautiful conditions, Hawthorn was simply dominant in the 11.8 (74) to 1.2 (8) victory, using its knowledge of Kinetic Stadium to full advantage.

The relentless work of Emily Bates (22 disposals, eight clearances, two goals), Eliza West (21 disposals, nine clearances, one goal), and Lucy Wales (12 disposals, 25 hitouts) around the contest for Hawthorn set up the win at the source.

While the Eagles had a positive start, getting on the scoreboard early off the boot of Kellie Gibson, that would be the one and only time the visitors kicked a major for the game.

00:34

Gibson gets the bounce with a long snap

Eaglels veteran Kelly Gibson puts through a brilliant goal in the opening term against the Hawks

The Hawks adapted beautifully to the phases of the game, and the conditions presented. Without the advantage of the wind, they refused to park the bus behind the ball and simply defend grimly, instead they worked to attack, albeit with more of a running, short kicking manner.

With the win, Hawthorn engaged its long kicking and dare from stoppage, which forced the Eagles to batten down the hatches.

It was an elite ability to spread from the contest that made Hawthorn so damaging, with its strength around the ball in and tight vital, but then quick transition into attacking positions once possession has been won.

The Hawks' voracious appetite for tackling and pressure repeatedly caught the Eagles out, then the home side's desire to move with speed saw it take the advantage at every opportunity. This meant it was often able to isolate its most dangerous forwards – Aine McDonagh and Aileen Gilroy – in one-on-one contests.

McDonagh (20 disposals, one goal) was the key to unlocking Hawthorn's attack, with her athleticism able to worry West Coast's key backs, while Gilroy's (13 disposals, three goals) speed and long-kicking made the Hawks unpredictable to the Eagles.

05:04

Pearce post-match v Hawks

AFLW senior coach Daisy Pearce addresses the media following her side's loss to Hawthorn

Charlie Thomas (26 disposals, 680 metres gained) did what she could in the circumstances down back, as did Beth Schilling (eight disposals, seven intercepts), but it was too big a task to overcome.

An early burst of energy from West Coast suggested it was ready for the challenge, moving the ball aggressively forward to generate opportunities for its forwards, who tried to isolate themselves in one-on-ones. 

Gibson (seven disposals, one goal) was the most dangerous option ahead of the ball for the Eagles, but they simply didn't make the most of the advantage the conditions offered.

After that first-quarter push, however, the Hawks simply ran away with the game in the fashion they have made their brand under Daniel Webster in 2024.


HAWTHORN             1.1     4.3     8.5     11.8 (74)
WEST COAST           1.0     1.0     1.2       1.2 (8)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Gilroy 3, Stephenson 2, Bates 2, West, McDonagh, Locke, Bodey
West Coast: Gibson

BEST 
Hawthorn: McDonagh, Bates, Fleming, Gilroy, West, Wales
West Coast: Drennan, Roberts, Lewis, Schilling, Thomas

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Williamson (corked leg)
West Coast: Nil

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 2,357 at Kinetic Stadium