West Coast AFLW foundation player Kellie Gibson will celebrate a significant milestone on Sunday in her 50th game for the Eagles against Greater Western Sydney at Mineral Resources Park.

Gibson, one of the Club’s inaugural signings, has been a consistent presence in the Eagles’ lineup since the team’s entry into the competition.

Known for her speed, toughness and versatility, the experienced midfielder reflected on her journey and growth as a player ahead of the milestone match.

“I think I’ve really stepped into a leadership role over the past couple of seasons,” Gibson said.

“We’ve got a young group, but they’re hungry to learn and improve, and that pushes me to keep getting better too. It works both ways.”

Gibson also spoke about her development since joining the Eagles, highlighting her focus on contest work and refining her offensive impact.

“I’ve been chasing small improvements in my game and building my blueprint, especially around the contest,” Gibson said.

“Playing a slightly different role this season has helped me grow, and I’ve had great support from Daisy (Pearce) and the coaching team to keep building my game.”

Senior coach Daisy Pearce praised Gibson’s contribution to the team and her influence on the playing group.

The 29-year-old becomes just the fourth Eagle to play 50 games for the AFLW team. 

“Kellie’s been a key part of our journey,” Pearce said.

“She leads by example and brings great energy and experience to our midfield. Her milestone is a testament to her resilience and commitment to the Club.”

The Eagles will be looking to bounce back after a tough loss to Melbourne last round, with Pearce confident the group has responded well.

“We’ve acknowledged that it wasn’t our best performance, but the group has been honest and got straight back to work,” Pearce said.

“We’re focused on taking the lessons from that game and applying them this week.”

West Coast will regain Emma Swanson following a one-week suspension, while Dana Hooker is also available for selection. Pearce confirmed both trained strongly and are in contention for Sunday’s match.

The Eagles will face a confident Giants outfit, who are coming off two consecutive wins, and Pearce expects a strong challenge.

“They play a threatening brand of football and with confidence. Their ability to get the numbers on the outside can be damaging," she said.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to test ourselves and apply the things we’ve been working on.”