A summer of optimism, of green shoots and anticipation was destroyed in one evening of carnage.

After splitting results against North Melbourne (loss) and Greater Western Sydney (win), the Eagles prepared for a crack at cross-town rivals Fremantle in a round three RAC Derby.

The Dockers went in as strong favourites after being widely tipped as a top eight contender in most pre-season forecasts. But the Eagles started with energy and purpose and looked to have the better of the contest.

One by one, however, a succession of players hobbled from the ground. Jamie Cripps (ankle), Liam Ryan (hamstring), Jeremy McGovern (hamstring), Campbell Chesser (knee) and Luke Shuey (hamstring) all exited to the bench with long term injuries. Alex Witherden joined them after suffering a concussion.

And just like that a match – and a season – was in tatters.

Add to that a throat injury for Dom Sheed, suffered in a routine training drill as the club prepared to play Melbourne, and a season that promised to be one of redemption was destroyed.

The presence of young guns Campbell Chesser, Reuben Ginbey and Elijah Hewett had the club buzzing over summer, but the fall out from the derby would have dire consequences.

Ryan, who ruptured a hamstring tendon when his leg flipped over his head in a spectacular marking attempt, did not play again for the season. McGovern missed 12 games after his tendon repair surgery, Cripps missed 11 matches and Chesser did not resume until round 10.

Shuey missed two games but it was the beginning of a truncated campaign that saw him play just 10 matches before retiring at season’s end.

From there the year stuttered and spluttered along with the club ensconced in the bottom portion of the table. A victory against North Melbourne in the return bout in round 20 offered hope that a second wooden spoon would be averted.

And when the Eagles upset the Western Bulldogs in round 23 it seemed to be on safe ground, skipping a game ahead of the Roos with one to play. Unfortunately the Eagles could not beat Adelaide to close out the season on a day when Shannon Hurn, Shuey and Nic Naitanui retired.

North had earlier in the day upset Gold Coast in Hobart so the Eagles finished at the foot of the table for the second time in history.

The AFLW season was also a test of the team’s resilience, but they won two of 10 matches to finish above the Western Bulldogs who occupied the bottom rung.

While the wins did not necessarily come with the frequency hoped, the Eagles were highly competitive in most games and produced a stunning performance to defeat eventual finalist Essendon at Windy Hill.

There were some outstanding individual performances too – particularly from young stars Charlie Thomas and Ella Roberts. Thomas would become the club’s first all-Australian selection and won the Club Champion Award while Roberts was runner-up.

Perhaps the biggest news, however, would be provided in the season postscript.

The Eagles manufactured a recruiting coup when luring one of the AFLW’s greatest players Daisy Pearce from Melbourne to take over as senior coach. She replaced Michael Prior, who stepped down deep into the club’s fifth season.

There was another major development on the AFL front as the Eagles resisted myriad overtures from other clubs to retain the No.1 selection in the National Draft where they secured exciting Victoria Country star Harley Reid.