PERTH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 05: Daisy Pearce, Senior Coach of the Eagles during the AFLW Round 8 match between West Coast Eagles and Collingwood Magpies at Mineral Resources Park on October 05, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images)
UPDATE: In a gripping showdown on July 15, 2023, the West Coast Eagles suffered a 17-point defeat to the Adelaide Crows at Norwood Oval. Despite the loss, coach Daisy Pearce praised her team’s defensive efforts, which kept the game competitive against a dominant Crows side.
The Crows outmatched the Eagles in critical stats, winning the clearance count 31-15 and dominating inside 50s 43-23. The final score was Adelaide 7.6 (48), West Coast 4.7 (31). However, Pearce highlighted the resilience of her players, especially the defensive unit led by Georgie Cleaver, who recorded six marks and 14 intercepts among her 18 possessions.
“They really organized themselves and held strong as the game progressed,” Pearce stated. “To defend such a big discrepancy in inside 50s and keep the scoreboard manageable was a credit to them.” The Eagles made a late-game surge, scoring three goals to one in the final term after trailing by 29 points at three-quarter time.
Pearce expressed pride in her team’s determination, stating, “We’ve come to expect that from our team. They never give up and play to the end.” The Eagles’ performance in the last quarter was particularly encouraging, as they aim for a maiden finals berth with just three rounds remaining.
The team now prepares for a crucial match against Geelong at Sullivan Logistics Stadium this Friday night. “It helps with energy and motivation to be in this position,” Pearce added. “Today we came out with valuable lessons to work on.”
Key forward Charlotte Riggs, returning to her home state of South Australia, made her presence felt with a score of 1.1, contributing to the Eagles’ efforts in a challenging match.
As the Eagles remain in the hunt for finals, Pearce emphasized the importance of continual improvement. “We are just trying to get better each week,” she said. The team’s focus on growth and resilience is integral as they head into their upcoming matches.
Fans are encouraged to stay tuned for further updates as the Eagles prepare to take on Geelong, with the playoffs on the line. The excitement builds as the West Coast Eagles strive to turn lessons into wins.
