Despite kicking the first two goals of the game, West Coast have grabbed their third win of the season with a 17-point win over Collingwood
WEST Coast has defeated Collingwood for the first time in AFLW history, with a 17-point win over the Magpies at Ikon Park on Tuesday night.
The win also marks the first time West Coast has won consecutive matches, and the first time the Eagles have won three matches in a season, an outstanding feat considering they are just four games into their 2024 campaign.
The already undermanned Pies were dealt a further blow when captain Bri Davey was ruled out of the match with concussion following a marking contest with young West Coast star Ella Roberts in the second quarter.
The win makes it two from two for the Eagles, who arrived in Melbourne last week for their week three game against the Western Bulldogs and their meeting with the Pies.
It was not always the Eagles’ way, with the Pies kicking the first two goals of the game.
Collingwood coach Sam Wright threw the magnets around, putting Jordyn Allen, who usually plays as a key defender, forward. And it paid off. Allen was involved in the first goal of the game, kicking long inside 50 to a contest that was roved by the nifty Eliza James.
A minute later, Pies tall Imogen Barnett was the next to hit the scoreboard, kicking the first goal of her 15-game career through a set shot 35 metres out on a slight angle.
The Eagles finally settled with a goal of their own through recruit Jess Hosking reducing the Pies’ lead to six points at quarter-time.
The momentum of the game shifted at the start of the second quarter when Davey was taken from the field following a marking contest with Roberts. Davey went straight from the field and into the changerooms for assessment.
With Davey off the field, the Eagles gained ascendancy around stoppages and were able to deliver the ball inside 50 to their key forwards.
Under the pressure of repeat forward entries, the Pies’ defenders gave away free kicks and marks inside 50, with Eagles forwards Kellie Gibson and Amy Franklin making the most of their opportunities.
The Eagles hit the front and went into the half-time break with an eight-point lead.
Hosking opened up the scoring for the second half, with a goal from a free kick for her second. Isabella Lewis got the next, making it five in a row for the away side.
The Magpies kicked the only goal of the final term through hardened midfielder Grace Campbell, but it never looked as though the Eagles’ win was in danger.
Up next
Week four continues for both sides as they back up this weekend. Collingwood will take on the winless Western Bulldogs this Sunday at Victoria Park, while West Coast will return home to face Brisbane on Sunday evening at Mineral Resources Park.
COLLINGWOOD 2.1 2.1 2.1 3.1 (19)
WEST COAST 1.1 3.3 5.4 5.6 (36)
GOALS
Collingwood: James, Campbell, Barnett
West Coast: Hosking 2, Lewis, Gibson, Franklin
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