HoneyBadger35
They're not going to pick him, Mitch.
- Aug 11, 2011
- 28,481
- 80,779
- AFL Club
- West Coast
- Moderator
- #1
Derby day is upon us, in what is almost certainly the most anticipated AFLW derby since the inaugural fixture.
At first glance, it’s clear that Fremantle have slipped away from their league leading best, and West Coast have added some talent and a lot more composure in 2024. However, the Dockers have steadied and are looking like a mature, experienced side as the race for finals heats up, while the Eagles have come crashing back to reality in recent weeks.
Despite that, it’s certainly shaping up to be a far more even affair than some past meetings, and an Eagles win by hook or by crook would be an unbelievable boost for the club as it clings to the faintest of finals hopes.
Celebrating Swanny
Emma Swanson becomes the second West Coast Eagle to 50 games, following Belinda Smith’s milestone a few weeks ago.
Joining the Eagles from GWS, she was named captain ahead of the inaugural season of West Coast footy, and has done an exemplary job guiding an emerging side with two Best and Fairest awards to show for her work.
Swanny has been thrust into a variety of roles over the journey, and this year has settled beautifully behind the footy, so often finding herself in the right place at the right time in defence.
Named in the midfield today (we’ll see), could a vintage Swanny performance help the Eagles to their first derby win?
Team selection
The axe has been swung after a tough day against the Hawks, with the return of Amy Franklin (revenge game alert) and a much anticipated but wholly surprising return from ACL for Courtney Rowley hopefully boosting the side.
Sarah Lakay returns to bolster the ruck against Freo’s Mim Strom, who is having a stellar year and is set to rip the game apart if not neutralised, and Mackenzie Webb joins the side for her season debut.
Prediction
While Fremantle in 2024 aren’t quite the rampaging side they once were, their fixture has certainly been more difficult than ours, and they’ve navigated it with the composure and experience you’d expect from a foundation side.
The path to victory is there, although it relies on winning a midfield battle that the Eagles have struggled with mightily this year. Rowley’s return could well boost that, though old pal Aisling McCarthy has gone up a gear in 2024 following her switch to purple, and could prove a frustrating thorn in West Coast’s side.
An Amy Franklin/Roxy Roux masterclass against the team that didn’t want them, and the Eagles are in with a shot.
Likely a bridge too far in this one, but stranger things have happened. Dockers by 18.
At first glance, it’s clear that Fremantle have slipped away from their league leading best, and West Coast have added some talent and a lot more composure in 2024. However, the Dockers have steadied and are looking like a mature, experienced side as the race for finals heats up, while the Eagles have come crashing back to reality in recent weeks.
Despite that, it’s certainly shaping up to be a far more even affair than some past meetings, and an Eagles win by hook or by crook would be an unbelievable boost for the club as it clings to the faintest of finals hopes.
Celebrating Swanny
Emma Swanson becomes the second West Coast Eagle to 50 games, following Belinda Smith’s milestone a few weeks ago.
Joining the Eagles from GWS, she was named captain ahead of the inaugural season of West Coast footy, and has done an exemplary job guiding an emerging side with two Best and Fairest awards to show for her work.
Swanny has been thrust into a variety of roles over the journey, and this year has settled beautifully behind the footy, so often finding herself in the right place at the right time in defence.
Named in the midfield today (we’ll see), could a vintage Swanny performance help the Eagles to their first derby win?
Team selection
The axe has been swung after a tough day against the Hawks, with the return of Amy Franklin (revenge game alert) and a much anticipated but wholly surprising return from ACL for Courtney Rowley hopefully boosting the side.
Sarah Lakay returns to bolster the ruck against Freo’s Mim Strom, who is having a stellar year and is set to rip the game apart if not neutralised, and Mackenzie Webb joins the side for her season debut.
Prediction
While Fremantle in 2024 aren’t quite the rampaging side they once were, their fixture has certainly been more difficult than ours, and they’ve navigated it with the composure and experience you’d expect from a foundation side.
The path to victory is there, although it relies on winning a midfield battle that the Eagles have struggled with mightily this year. Rowley’s return could well boost that, though old pal Aisling McCarthy has gone up a gear in 2024 following her switch to purple, and could prove a frustrating thorn in West Coast’s side.
An Amy Franklin/Roxy Roux masterclass against the team that didn’t want them, and the Eagles are in with a shot.
Likely a bridge too far in this one, but stranger things have happened. Dockers by 18.
