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AAP
AAP
Justin Chadwick

The Daisy impact has Eagles eyeing off AFLW finals

West Coast players are crediting coach Daisy Pearce with the turnaround of the club's AFLW fortunes. (Rob Prezioso/AAP PHOTOS)

Daisy Pearce has brought the winning feeling to West Coast, and star midfielder Ella Roberts says the players are already addicted.

The Eagles, boasting a 4-2 record, have already recorded their finest AFLW season to date.

Their previous best return in a season was a mere two wins, but Pearce's arrival has helped spark a huge and long-awaited turnaround in fortunes. 

Seventh-placed West Coast have the chance to climb further up the ladder when they take on Port Adelaide (2-4) at Mineral Resources Park in Perth on Saturday.

Roberts, who kicked a career-high three goals in last week's 24-point win over GWS, said the squad is enjoying the feeling of being a winning outfit.


"It's crazy. It changes the vibes completely," Roberts said.

"I think it's something that all of us girls have been wanting for ages, and to finally have, we're kind of addicted to it.

"We just want to keep it going and it's something that we're chasing for more success. 

"So yeah, we're definitely looking towards the future and looking towards finals."

So what has sparked the turnaround?

"It's pretty obvious - the coach," Roberts said. 

"I think having a coach who has so much trust in us and has so much knowledge, like Daisy, she just knows what she's talking about and can kind of just bring out the best in everyone. 

"Those young players are really getting to play their best football because of her."

eagles
West Coast Eagles players embrace coach Daisy Pearce after another AFLW win. (James Worsfold/AAP PHOTOS)

Roberts is just 19 years old and in her third AFLW season, but she's already a star of the competition.

The classy midfielder looms as a key player as West Coast attempt to snare a finals berth for the first time.

"It's definitely our goal and we definitely see that as a realistic goal for this year," she said.

Roberts said it was a surreal feeling that young girls already see her as their footballing hero.

"It's definitely not something I probably thought would happen so early in my career," she said. 

"But yeah, I love it and I want to be that (role model) for those girls.

"It's a bit of a pinch me moment because I feel like I still look up to lots of players in the comp."

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