The West Coast Eagles have made four changes for Sunday’s AFLW RAC Derby, with South Australian speedster Katelyn Pope named for her debut in blue and gold.
Meanwhile, defensive pillar Chantella Perera, classy midfielder Imahra Cameron and hard-running winger Kate Orme will all play their first games for 2021.
Pope is a former Adelaide Strikers swing bowler who has converted to football and enjoyed a rapid rise through the ranks in recent years.
The 24-year-old joined the Eagles last month as an injury replacement player for Mhicca Carter, and will run out alongside fellow North Adelaide product Amber Ward against Fremantle.
West Coast’s four changes from the round one loss to Adelaide have all been forced by injuries to star midfielder Dana Hooker (foot), Maddy Collier (concussion protocol), Brianna Green (ankle) and Demi Liddle (back).
Unfortunately, Hooker’s season is over after a household accident this week when a knife slipped from a kitchen bench and cut her foot.
The injury required surgery to repair a lacerated tendon and West Coast’s inaugural club champion will miss the remainder of the 2021 campaign.
West Coast has added two top-up players to Sunday’s squad, Claremont products Jessica Low and Sasha Goranova, who will be emergencies for the clash at Fremantle Oval.
Due to government restrictions limiting gatherings the RAC Derby will be closed to the general public.
The match will be broadcast live on the Seven Network in Perth and will also be available to watch on Fox Footy, Kayo, and via the Official AFL Live App, thanks to Telstra.
The game, which starts at 4.15pm AWST, will also be streamed live via womens.afl and the Official AFLW App.