Experienced West Coast Eagle Belinda Smith is set to play her 75^th AFLW game on Saturday, in the elimination final against Carlton at IKON Park, which will also be the first finals appearance of her career.

The veteran defender played 12 games for Fremantle and three games for the Bulldogs before joining the Eagles ahead of their first season in 2020.

Smith has been a consistent performer and pillar of West Coast’s backline since her arrival, helping to guide and shape many young players who have come through the program.

“It’s exciting, I’m more excited for the final to be honest, it’s a massive career moment that I’ve been trying to get to for a long time,” Smith said.

“As a team, we have finally got the opportunity to play finals footy, and I can’t wait to run out with the girls and give my all on Saturday.”

Smith praised Eagles assistant coach Rohan McHugh and Head of Women’s Football Michelle Cowan for the belief and support throughout her journey so far.

“Special shout out to ‘Rowy’, he was my backs coach for a long time and really instilled a lot of confidence in me in the way I play the game,” Smith said.

“And Michelle Cowan, she was my first-ever AFLW coach, she drafted me back at Fremantle, so I feel really indebted to her, and to have her still a part of my journey now is really cool.”

The 30-year-old was recognised for her contributions to the club in 2023, accepting the Trademark Player honour at the end of season Club Champion awards night.

Having coached Smith for the past two seasons, Eagles’ senior coach Daisy Pearce praised Smith’s passion and competitiveness, and her overall love for the game.

“She (Smith) is a clever player, and the way she’s been able to evolve her game over her career is just a testament to how much she loves footy,” Pearce said.

“I love coaching her because she’s passionate about strategy and she asks great questions that challenge you.

“On a game like Friday night, you walk down to the huddle and she’s just beaming and wanting to know what’s next because she just loves the opportunity so much, and that’s in high-pressure moments.

“Her passion for the game and her competitiveness is going to be really important on the weekend, and it’s awesome that it falls on her milestone game.”

Smith and her teammates take on Carlton in an elimination final at IKON Park on Saturday, bouncedown from 12:05pm WST.