West Coast will be looking to build on the positive signs from defeat to Sydney in the team’s final game of the 2026 AFLW season against Hawthorn on Saturday.

Despite falling short against the Swans, coach Daisy Pearce was encouraged by the Eagles’ improved pressure and attacking football and wants her side to take another step forward against the finals-contending Hawks.

“I thought we took a step forward,” Pearce said.

“Scoring was the by-product, but I thought our pressure was a lot better for big portions of the game.

“It was good to see us play with some energy on offence as well. It looked a lot more like us compared to the week before.

“Our challenge now is to just keep building off that and try and do it more consistently.”

Pearce identified tackling as a key focus heading into the Sullivan Logistics Stadium clash, with the Eagles determined to rediscover the defensive edge that has become a hallmark of the team in recent seasons.

“We’ve been disappointed in our tackle numbers across the course of the season, so really trying to correct that and get after it is a big focus this week,” Pearce said.

“We know how important that is to the way we play.”

Pearce expected the eighth-placed Hawks to bring an aggressive style around the contest as they attempt to secure a finals berth in Perth.

A West Coast victory would leave Hawthorn vulnerable to three chasing teams sitting a win and percentage behind them on the ladder.

“They have been strong defensively, but they’ll challenge us defensively as well,” Pearce said.

“They’ve got some really good targets as forwards with Aine McDonagh and Jacqueline Dupuy offering plenty this year.

“We’re excited to go up against a really strong finals team. We know they’ve got plenty to play for, so it should be a really good game.”

Co-captain Bella Lewis, who will celebrate her 75th game for the club on Saturday, said the Eagles were determined to embrace one final opportunity to show their growth in front of their home fans.

“Every week we just want to stick to our process and get better, and I think this week is another really good opportunity to do that against a really strong outfit in Hawthorn,” Lewis said.

“The girls are really excited and to be able to do it here at home, our final home game with all of our fans, is a really good opportunity for us.”

While a finals appearance is no longer on the cards, Lewis said the Eagles’ focus remained firmly on competing until the final siren and ending the season on a positive note.

“It’s important for us to be able to go out on a high, whatever the outcome looks like,” Lewis said.

“For us, it’s fighting until the final siren goes. That’s definitely going to be our messaging this week, as it has been the past couple of weeks.

“We’re just ready to go out and fight.”