Around 20 AFLW players braved the cold this week to participate in their first two High Performance sessions at Mineral Resources Park.

Given it had been four months since the end of the AFLW season, the first objective was to realign players with football through basic handball training, followed by fast-paced skills sessions, and finally two condensed match simulations in the middle of the ground.

These drills saw key players easily restore their composure on field, through kicking accuracy and clean marking abilities despite the steady downpour.

In the backline, former Docker Evie Gooch slotted in seamlessly amongst the Eagles crew with her defensive brand of football on display throughout the entirety of both training sessions.

Meanwhile former GWS forward Aimee Schmidt continues a well-deserved extended stay in Exmouth, but will join the Eagles for their pre-season training in coming months.

The first week of the High Performance Academy kicked off a six week optional program, which also saw a number of players on a hard-earned break dial into team meetings to further football education.

Training is scheduled for Monday and Wednesday evenings beginning with indoor practical knowledge sessions, before heading on-field for drills.

This Monday’s meeting will take place at Optus Stadium, where the team will meet to spectate the West Coast match alongside coach Daniel Pratt.

These sessions mark the first of many in the High Performance Academy over July and August, before the side maps out a pre-season plan ahead of the season’s start in December.

This will also see the return of vital assets to the Eagles’ 2022 campaign, in Irishwomen Aisling McCarthy and Niamh and Grace Kelly.