The West Coast Eagles AFLW team is on the brink of a historic moment, with Friday night’s clash against Carlton set to determine whether they’ll secure their first-ever finals appearance.

Senior coach Daisy Pearce and Emma Swanson offered a glimpse into the team’s mindset, preparation, and excitement ahead of the round 12 blockbuster at Sullivan Logistic Stadium.

Pearce confirmed that star forward Ella Roberts is likely to return after a strong showing at training.

“Ella’s competing and got a smile on her face because she’s back out there,” Pearce said.

“She got through everything we planned at a really high level. If she pulls up well tomorrow, we’ll get to see her play some footy on the weekend, which is great,” Pearce said.

Mikayla Western will undergo scans after tweaking her knee during training today.

Abbygail Bushby and Belinda Smith also trained well and will be considered for selection, giving the Eagles a timely boost in depth.

One notable absence will be defender Jess Rentsch, who will miss the match after the Tribunal upheld her one-match suspension.

Pearce praised Rentsch’s professionalism and leadership.

“Jess is disappointed, but she’s handled herself incredibly well and is doing everything she can to support the team,” Pearce said.

Despite the setback, Pearce is confident in the squad’s ability to adapt, highlighting the team’s growing versatility and “next-person-up” mentality.

Swanson reflected on the team’s growth and maturity, noting that while the magnitude of the match is undeniable, the group remains focused on their process.

“It’s probably the biggest game in the club’s history, and I’m pumped for it,” Swanson said.

“But internally, it’s business as usual. There’s been a huge growth for us over the last 18 months.”

With finals within reach, Friday night promises to be a defining moment in the club’s AFLW journey. Despite the pressure, both Pearce and Swanson are embracing the moment.

“Let’s go out there and enjoy this moment. We’ve got 80 minutes of footy that means something. What a great opportunity to get better,” Pearce said.

“It’s just about how we beat them and how we get to our best.”