West Coast faced Fremantle in their opening pre-season hit-out at Cockburn ARC

By westcoasteagles.com.au

West Coast kicked off their 2025 AFLW campaign with a competitive practice match against cross-town rivals Fremantle at Cockburn ARC on Saturday morning.

New co-captain Charlie Thomas led the Eagles onto the field for the first time and made an early impact, while top draft pick Lucia Painter impressed with her composure around stoppages.

Lauren Wakfer slotted West Coast’s first goal to reduce an early Dockers lead, but Fremantle’s forward pressure and efficiency helped them hold a 13-point lead at quarter time.

The Eagles lifted in the second term with a goal to Kelly Gibson and strong contributions from Emma Swanson and Sarah Lakay. But missed opportunities in the forward half saw Fremantle maintain the advantage.

Kiara Bowers and Amy Mulholland both hit the scoreboard for the Dockers to extend their buffer to 10-points at the main break.

Fremantle pushed further ahead in the third quarter through goals to Mim Strom and Gabrielle Newton but West Coast continued to compete strongly in the contest, with Mikayla Western and Beth Schilling standing out.

Western sparked a final-term surge with a goal early, and Gibson had another opportunity soon after, but the Eagles couldn’t convert their dominance into scoreboard pressure.

Mulholland’s second goal sealed the result for Fremantle, who ran out 22-point winners.

Despite the result, the Eagles showed promising signs, particularly from their emerging players and returning stars.

With several key names still to return including Bella Lewis, Ella Roberts, Alison Drennan, Jessica Rentsch and Belinda Smith, the team will take plenty of positives into the next phase of their pre-season.

FREMANTLE  3.1    4.1    6.1    7.3    (45)
WEST COAST  1.0    2.3    2.3    3.4      (22)

GOALS
Fremantle: Miller (2), Mulholland (2), Strom, Bowers, Newton. West Coast: L. Wakfer, Gibson, Western

BEST
Fremantle: Newton, Miller, Mulholland, Strom. West Coast: Thomas, Painter, Shilling, Wakfer, Johnson, McGrath, Hooker, Swan