West Coast captain Emma Swanson has been ruled out of the club’s season opener against Richmond due to groin soreness. This means she will miss Daisy Pearce’s much-anticipated debut as the Eagles’ AFLW coach. Additionally, fan favorite Roxy Roux will also be sidelined with a hand injury. Young star Bella Lewis will lead the team in Swanson’s absence during Friday night’s match at Mineral Resources Park.
The Eagles are set to introduce five debutants, with new recruits Jess Hosking and Alison Drennan making their first appearances in the blue and gold season. West Coast’s top draft pick, Jess Rentsch, will play her first game, joined by dual-sport talent Georgie Cleaver and Sasha Goranova, who returns after an ACL injury.
Sanne Bakker, signed as an injury replacement in April, will debut alongside Subiaco captain Tess Lyons and former West Coast Fever star Verity Simmons.
On the other side, Richmond will be without two-time All-Australian Eilish Sheerin for their trip west, but Charley Ryan is set to make her debut.
Fremantle will showcase three high-profile signings—Gabby Newton, Ash Brazill, and Aisling McCarthy—when they face Richmond at Windy Hill on Saturday. Teenager Tunisha Kikoak will also debut, having been signed as a replacement for Dockers superstar Kiara Bowers, who will miss the 2024 season due to pregnancy.
In a milestone moment, star ruck Mim Strom will celebrate her 50th AFLW game, while Laura Pugh will captain Fremantle in the absence of injured skipper Ange Stannett.