West Coast AFLW captain Emma Swanson saw plenty of positives from Saturday’s clash with powerhouse Adelaide, and says playing four consistent quarters is the next step for the team.

The Eagles were up for the fight against the Crows and only trailed by five points at half-time after Mikayla Bowen and Niamh Kelly’s second-quarter goals.

But a lapse in concentration in the third term proved costly as the Crows, led by star Erin Phillips, flexed their muscles to establish a match-defining 32-point lead.

Speaking to ABC Perth post-game, Swanson was pleased West Coast fought the match out in sweltering conditions against a quality outfit.

“It was a hot day at the office, that’s for sure, but probably pretty happy with three quarters of our footy,” Swanson said.

“Adelaide is going to be close to one of the best teams in the comp this year – if not the best team.

“They’ve been together going into their fifth year and this is our second year as a group, and first year under Daniel Pratt our new coach and probably 12 weeks with a new gameplan.

“There are a lot of positives to take out, that we did arm-wrestle that first half in particular.”

The Crows booted four goals to no score in the third quarter, with Phillips nailing two majors to set up the visitors’ victory.

“We’ll definitely review that third quarter and we’ll go into that next game trying to put together four quarters of footy,” Swanson said.

“A similar kind of thing happened to us in the practice match (against Fremantle), we played a really good first half amd dropped off in the second half.”

Gun midfielders Dana Hooker (19 disposals) and Swanson (17, 11 tackles) picked up where they left off from last year’s club champion top-two finishes, but there was also plenty to like elsewhere.

Irish recruit Aisling McCarthy (15 disposals) found plenty of the ball, while Bowen (13, one goal) was red-hot early.

New Eagles Bella Lewis and Tayla Bresland (both 11 disposals) also caught the eye through midfield and defence, respectively.

“To be honest, across the ground it was a pretty even workload,” Swanson said.

“Just out of feel, I know Bella Lewis was out there, she played her first game, as an 18-year-old I thought she slotted in really well – as we all knew she would.

“Then Tayla Bresland down back proved she’s such a handy pick-up for us this year. She’s slotted in really well and provides a lot of leadership down there.”