The West Coast Eagles are set for a unique club-wide showcase this Sunday, with both the AFL and AFLW teams taking on the GWS Giants in a double-header at ENGIE Stadium.

The AFL side will face GWS at 11.40am (AWST), before the AFLW team launches their 2026 campaign at 2.45pm (AWST), creating an opportunity for both programs to come together and back each other on game day.

Excitement is building among the AFLW squad ahead of round one, with senior coach Daisy Pearce saying the group is eager to finally put a long pre-season behind them and chase premiership points.

"It's been a long one and this team, led by Charlie Thomas and Bella Lewis, did a great job in the off-season to really drive their player-led period,” Pearce said.

"It's a long time coming to get to this point where you're playing for premiership points, so we're looking forward to it."

After the club's maiden finals appearance in 2025, Pearce said the focus hasn't been on outside expectations, but on continuing to improve every day.

"Our job is to come in here and try and get as good as we can as quickly as we can and not miss an opportunity," Pearce said.

"If you focus on your own improvement, your results and where you finish at the end sort of look after themselves."

Co-captain Charlie Thomas said the group had returned from the off-season motivated to build on last year's breakthrough campaign.

"We're just really looking forward to getting out there and getting the season started strongly," Thomas said.

"Heading over there with the boys for the double-header will be really cool.

"We left that final over in Melbourne just wanting more, so we're excited and super hungry."

The Eagles have spent the summer refining several areas of their game after emerging as one of the competition's most improved sides last season.

The midfield group will be bolstered by increased opportunities for players including Lucia Painter, Abby Bushby and Mia Russo, while Thomas has enjoyed spending time around the ball during pre-season training.

"It's been good to learn a little bit of a different role," Thomas said.

"It will help me defend as well in the back line and bring some of the tools I've learnt in the midfield back with me."

Awaiting the Eagles in round one is a talented Giants outfit that Pearce expects will provide an immediate test.

"They're a skilful, hard-running team and super athletic," Pearce said.

"They're going to make us defend pretty hard because of how quickly they move the ball and how aggressive they are with their offence.

"It's a really good test for us in the first round to see where we're at."

Sunday's double-header adds another layer of excitement, with players from both squads set to support one another throughout the day.

Thomas said the men's team's support of the AFLW program had grown significantly in recent seasons and was something the players genuinely valued.

"I think they probably underestimate how much it means for them just to show up," Thomas said.

Pearce agreed, saying the chance for the entire club to travel together and chase victories across both programs made it a special occasion.

"To get on a plane as a whole club and go over to Sydney and try and come home with eight points is exciting," Pearce said.

"It'll be cool to see both programs operate on the same day."