It was a stellar start to the West Coast Eagles’ 2025 season, recording a 15-point victory over the Gold Coast Suns, capped off with a round one Rising Star nomination awarded to young gun Lucia Painter.

Painter kicked three game-changing goals on debut in the blue and gold, but senior coach Daisy Pearce said she was not surprised by Painter’s performance.

“It was pretty impressive, but it didn’t surprise us,” Pearce said.

“Lu has been incredible since she turned up in late February, the amount of work that she’s put in is a credit to who she is and the kind of athlete that she is.

“The way she has adapted to life as a full-time athlete has been impressive, particularly given that she’s had to move out of the family home and move to the other side of the country.

“She's so driven, we’ve got to hold her back more than push her, which is a good problem to have, her thirst for work and her capacity to do the work has just been amazing.

“So, it didn’t come as a surprise when you’ve got someone who's as strong and as athletic as her, along with her footy ability, competitiveness and want for the team to win.

“I was just proud, to see someone who has worked like they have and be able to understand what's gone behind it, to see them go out there and get the reward and be celebrated with their teammates is really cool.”

Pearce broke the Rising Star nomination news to Painter on Monday morning, with Painter saying she just wanted to play football and have fun.

“It was crazy getting that call from Daisy yesterday morning,” Painter said.

“I just went out there to have a bit of fun in my round one debut, I didn’t have any expectations.

“It was a credit to all the hard work we put in over a 12-week pre-season, so it was amazing to get the win.”

The 19-year-old forward-mid admitted that she had some pre-game nerves but trusted the process and the work the team had put in in the lead up to the season.

“I was obviously nervous, but I was just so excited,” Painter said.

“I trusted in the support that I had from the girls and the coaches, and all the hard work we had done.

“So, I just wanted to go out there and play to what we’ve been training and to have a bit of fun.”

Having impressed in both the midfield and the forward line since her arrival, Painter said she’s happy to player her role, wherever she is needed.

“I’m happy to play wherever, I’m a role player,” Painter said.

“Wherever I’m put, I’ll play my role to the best of my ability, whether that’s mid, forward or back.

“It was fun up forward, and I’ll always give it a red-hot crack when I get put up there.”