A GAME-breaking quarter from debutant Lucia Painter and a brilliant performance from star Ella Roberts have driven West Coast to an exciting 15-point win against Gold Coast on Thursday night, with the young Eagles opening their season in style at Mineral Resources Park.
In a perfect start under second-year coach Daisy Pearce, the Eagles showed significant improvement across all aspects of the game and held their nerve when the match was on the line to win 5.5 (35) to 2.8 (20).
It was two of the club's brightest young stars who proved the difference, however, with Roberts and Painter each producing brilliant individual quarters to keep the SUNS at arm's length in Rhyce Shaw's return to the coaches box.
Roberts had 11 disposals and two goals in the first quarter to set up the Eagles' early lead, finishing with 24 and six score involvements before cramping late in a massive performance that signalled she will be one of the competition's biggest stars this year.
Painter, meanwhile, made a stunning debut after being recruited with pick No.7 in last year's Telstra AFLW Draft, booting three goals in the third term to give the Eagles their match-winning lead and a 1-0 start to the season.
After four wins last year, West Coast emerged on Thursday night with a more physical, high-pressure and high-tempo game style, defending well and slingshotting off half-back through former skipper Emma Swanson.
Their ability to use the ball and control the tempo of the game proved crucial, taking risks at the right time and giving their forwards opportunities with 34 inside 50s to the SUNS' 28.
Roberts started at the first centre bounce but quickly drifted forward to kick the opening goal of the game when she won a free kick for holding the ball, typifying the Eagles' high-pressure start.
The 20-year-old was involved in everything and had a 45m shot touched on the line, eventually snaring her second goal after dribbling one through from distance to give the Eagles an early lead.
The SUNS had more success in the second term, getting on top through the midfield and creating opportunities, but they only had 0.4 to show for it at the main break after a goalless quarter for both teams.
Their hard work was rewarded with an early goal to start the third term, with Georgia Clayden marking and converting her set shot after several repeat inside 50s.
The Eagles were quick to respond, however, with Painter turning the game with three goals from four shots in a seven-minute burst. Her first in the AFLW came from a free kick deep in attack, before a clever left foot snap and then a big pack mark, giving the Eagles a 21-point lead at the final change.
Impressive Gold Coast draftee Havana Harris capped a strong debut of her own with her first goal early in the final quarter, but it was all the SUNS could manage, despite pressing to the final siren in an encouraging performance.
WEST COAST 2.1 2.2 5.4 5.5 (35)
GOLD COAST 0.2 0.4 1.7 2.8 (20)
GOALS
West Coast: Painter 3, Roberts 2
Gold Coast: Clayden, Harris
BEST
West Coast: Roberts, Painter, Lewis, Swanson, Thomas, Drennan
Gold Coast: Rowbottom, Harris, Single, Brancatisano
INJURIES
West Coast: Schilling (foot)
Gold Coast: Nil
Crowd: 1,453 at Mineral Resources Park
