West Coast Eagles captain Emma Swanson is set to make her first appearance of the season after recovering from a groin injury, just in time to play against Essendon. Her return strengthens the Eagles’ efforts to secure consecutive wins for the first time in the club’s history. Additionally, star midfielder Bella Lewis, who was forced to miss the final quarter of their one-point victory over Richmond, has been cleared to play.
Jayme Harken, a standout in the WAFLW, will make her AFLW debut for the Eagles. Harken had a remarkable season, winning her second consecutive Dhara Kerr Medal, along with a premiership and the Lou Knitter Medal for best-on-ground in Claremont’s final. Her debut comes just weeks after being added to West Coast’s roster, marking a significant step in her football career.
On the other hand, Verity Simmons, a former West Coast Fever netballer, has been surprisingly omitted from the squad after delivering a solid performance in her debut against Richmond, where she registered 10 disposals and two clearances. In the lineup adjustments, ruck Sarah Lakey has been included to bring additional height to the team, replacing Tess Lyons, who played less than half the game in her debut. Zoe Wakfer, who suffered a head knock recently, is expected to play, but defender Evie Gooch has been dropped from the side.
Essendon, on the other hand, is dealing with injuries to key players Amber Clarke and forward Bonnie Toogood, both of whom were injured in a single incident during their loss to Fremantle in the opening round. Both players are set to miss this weekend’s game. To compensate for these absences, Essendon has selected Lily-Rose Williamson, Jacqui Vogt, and Ashleigh van Loon to bolster their lineup for the upcoming clash against West Coast.
As the Eagles aim to capitalize on their recent momentum and the Bombers deal with the loss of important players, the upcoming game promises to be an interesting contest for both sides.
