After a competitive first half, the West Coast Eagles fell to the Swans on Saturday at Henson Park, officially ruling out their chances of back-to-back finals appearances.
While the team didn’t get the result they were after in Sydney, senior coach Daisy Pearce saw plenty of positive signs from the young Eagles group.
“I thought there were big periods where we looked much more like the team we’re aspiring to become,” Pearce said.
“I thought some of the quality of our offence was much better because of our work rate, and better fundamentals.
“And defensively, much better with the pressure, we were able to build on Sydney at times, but them being such a good team, they were able to do it longer than us, at that’s the bit we’ve just got to keep improving.”
The development of West Coast’s midfield contingent has been evident as the season has played out, both individually and as a group.
“We’ve got a lot of belief in them, ‘Riggsy’ (Charlotte Riggs) in the ruck, and good to see ‘Wak’ (Lauren Wakfer) come through there today, she provided some good pressure at times and attack on the ball,” Pearce said.
“And the midfield group is building, not just in their own games, but in their synergy as a group, and when you look around at the best midfields in the comp, they’re not just good players but they also get to really understand and be predictable with each other in the way they play.
“The longer they get to play together and keep working hard, we’ll get that as well, but they’ve had some really impressive moments and some great learnings, so it’s been good.”
Eagles stalwart Emma Swanson played her 75th AFLW game in the blue and gold on Saturday, becoming the first West Coast player to do so, with Pearce praising her leadership and professionalism.
“She’s the ultimate competitor and the ultimate professional,” Pearce said.
“She’s been a leader of this program for a long time and a leader in women’s footy with the way that she sets the standards and trains herself.
“She’s just got such a joy for the game which is infectious to her teammates as well.
“We we’re disappointed we couldn’t get it done for her, we would have loved to get the result for her, but Swanny being Swanny, she’s pretty selfless in it all.”
