AFLW: West Coast Eagles men's side celebrate women's season-opening triumph
It's been another brutal campaign for the AFL side, who are set to be condemned to a probable one-win season and third club wooden spoon.
But the men's team were on hand to cheer Ella Roberts and star debutant Lucia Painter as they made it back-to-back round one victories at Mineral Resources Park on Thursday night.
Fans will be hopeful Daisy Pearce's troops can also inspire a similar result for the men as they travel to Melbourne to face the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
Roberts and Painter were the stars of the show as West Coast ran over the Suns 5.5 (35) to 2.8 (20) in prime time on Thursday.
Roberts, who already has a club champion and All-Australian honour to her name, kicked two goals from 11 touches in a blistering first term, before finishing with 24 disposals.
However, the second half belonged to first-gamer Painter, who kicked three goals in the third term to demolish the visitors' hopes of victory.
Men's co-captain Oscar Allen and Jake Waterman were among the Eagles watching on from the balcony behind the goals, while defender-turned-midfielder Brady Hough also watched on.
Reuben Ginbey and Rhett Bazzo represented the defenders while Matt Flynn and retired champion Nic Naitanui provided ruck support.
And they weren't just passive onlookers; the players spent much of the night on their feet as they cheered.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
23 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Tigers stalwart has no regrets about keeping the faith
If things had gone differently late last year, Nathan Broad could easily have been lining up against Richmond on Sunday. The triple-premiership defender was almost swayed by an offer from North Melbourne. But while Liam Baker, Daniel Rioli, Shai Bolton and Jack Graham left the battling Tigers, Broad stuck fat with the club that gave him a chance as a mature-aged recruit in 2015. "It was a no-brainer at the end of the day," Broad told AAP. "This club showed faith in me, and I've returned the faith. "Now I'm just going to try and leave a legacy with this footy club and (leave it) in a better place than when I got here. "I think we're on the right path. Our leaders are doing a great job but our kids are really eager to learn. So it's a really good environment at the moment and I'm loving it. Now 32, Broad is relishing teaching the youngsters around him, hoping to help Richmond rise back up the ladder quickly. "When you're winning and you're on top and you're winning premierships, it's easier to be a leader," he said. "But when you're really challenged and things get tough, you find out more about yourself. "This footy club's really done an amazing job, really leaning into getting better, and we're not making excuses. "We want to win games of footy and we're on the right track." The Tigers (5-16) fell short by four points against St Kilda last week but are desperate to make amends against the Kangaroos (4-1-16) in Hobart on Sunday. "We're growing. We have five wins, five more than anyone thought we would. Unfortunately, (the Saints game) was one that probably slipped away," Broad said. "But if we win next week, and then finish off the year strong, it's going to be very exciting for the next few years. "It is important, winning, and you've got to find ways to win too. "The more we can win, the kids learn how to win. Sometimes you get caught in the rut of losing. "So the more we can just put our kids in these scenarios where they're in the game towards the end, it's just a valuable lesson." Broad also hopes a personal accolade can come for long-time defensive teammate Nick Vlastuin, who has starred down back this season with a league high 164 intercept possessions. "If he doesn't get an All-Australian blazer, well, jeez, I don't know what else he needs to do," Broad said. "He's top of intercepts for the whole comp, he just stands up every single week and his form's been unbelievable. "He's been stiff not to have one before, but I really, really do hope they give him one this year because he deserves it. "He's been an absolute star of the competition in general." If things had gone differently late last year, Nathan Broad could easily have been lining up against Richmond on Sunday. The triple-premiership defender was almost swayed by an offer from North Melbourne. But while Liam Baker, Daniel Rioli, Shai Bolton and Jack Graham left the battling Tigers, Broad stuck fat with the club that gave him a chance as a mature-aged recruit in 2015. "It was a no-brainer at the end of the day," Broad told AAP. "This club showed faith in me, and I've returned the faith. "Now I'm just going to try and leave a legacy with this footy club and (leave it) in a better place than when I got here. "I think we're on the right path. Our leaders are doing a great job but our kids are really eager to learn. So it's a really good environment at the moment and I'm loving it. Now 32, Broad is relishing teaching the youngsters around him, hoping to help Richmond rise back up the ladder quickly. "When you're winning and you're on top and you're winning premierships, it's easier to be a leader," he said. "But when you're really challenged and things get tough, you find out more about yourself. "This footy club's really done an amazing job, really leaning into getting better, and we're not making excuses. "We want to win games of footy and we're on the right track." The Tigers (5-16) fell short by four points against St Kilda last week but are desperate to make amends against the Kangaroos (4-1-16) in Hobart on Sunday. "We're growing. We have five wins, five more than anyone thought we would. Unfortunately, (the Saints game) was one that probably slipped away," Broad said. "But if we win next week, and then finish off the year strong, it's going to be very exciting for the next few years. "It is important, winning, and you've got to find ways to win too. "The more we can win, the kids learn how to win. Sometimes you get caught in the rut of losing. "So the more we can just put our kids in these scenarios where they're in the game towards the end, it's just a valuable lesson." Broad also hopes a personal accolade can come for long-time defensive teammate Nick Vlastuin, who has starred down back this season with a league high 164 intercept possessions. "If he doesn't get an All-Australian blazer, well, jeez, I don't know what else he needs to do," Broad said. "He's top of intercepts for the whole comp, he just stands up every single week and his form's been unbelievable. "He's been stiff not to have one before, but I really, really do hope they give him one this year because he deserves it. "He's been an absolute star of the competition in general." If things had gone differently late last year, Nathan Broad could easily have been lining up against Richmond on Sunday. The triple-premiership defender was almost swayed by an offer from North Melbourne. But while Liam Baker, Daniel Rioli, Shai Bolton and Jack Graham left the battling Tigers, Broad stuck fat with the club that gave him a chance as a mature-aged recruit in 2015. "It was a no-brainer at the end of the day," Broad told AAP. "This club showed faith in me, and I've returned the faith. "Now I'm just going to try and leave a legacy with this footy club and (leave it) in a better place than when I got here. "I think we're on the right path. Our leaders are doing a great job but our kids are really eager to learn. So it's a really good environment at the moment and I'm loving it. Now 32, Broad is relishing teaching the youngsters around him, hoping to help Richmond rise back up the ladder quickly. "When you're winning and you're on top and you're winning premierships, it's easier to be a leader," he said. "But when you're really challenged and things get tough, you find out more about yourself. "This footy club's really done an amazing job, really leaning into getting better, and we're not making excuses. "We want to win games of footy and we're on the right track." The Tigers (5-16) fell short by four points against St Kilda last week but are desperate to make amends against the Kangaroos (4-1-16) in Hobart on Sunday. "We're growing. We have five wins, five more than anyone thought we would. Unfortunately, (the Saints game) was one that probably slipped away," Broad said. "But if we win next week, and then finish off the year strong, it's going to be very exciting for the next few years. "It is important, winning, and you've got to find ways to win too. "The more we can win, the kids learn how to win. Sometimes you get caught in the rut of losing. "So the more we can just put our kids in these scenarios where they're in the game towards the end, it's just a valuable lesson." Broad also hopes a personal accolade can come for long-time defensive teammate Nick Vlastuin, who has starred down back this season with a league high 164 intercept possessions. "If he doesn't get an All-Australian blazer, well, jeez, I don't know what else he needs to do," Broad said. "He's top of intercepts for the whole comp, he just stands up every single week and his form's been unbelievable. "He's been stiff not to have one before, but I really, really do hope they give him one this year because he deserves it. "He's been an absolute star of the competition in general."
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Cricket Australia pays tribute to Bob Simpson
Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird has led the tributes to former Test captain and coach Bob Simpson, who has died aged 89. The Australian team, who is playing South Africa in the T20 decider in Cairns, will hold a momen't silence and wear black armbands at the Cazalys Stadium on Saturday. "Bob Simpson was one of the greats of Australian cricket and this is a sad day for anyone fortunate to have watched him play or who benefited from his wisdom. "As a brilliant opening batter, incredible slips fielder and handy spin bowler, Bob was a mainstay of a very strong Australian team in the 1960s, and he became a leader across the game as Australian and New South Wales captain and as a coach. "Bob's decision to come out of retirement to successfully lead the Australian team during the advent of World Series Cricket in 1977 was a wonderful service to the game, and his coaching set the foundation for a golden era for Australian cricket. "On behalf of Cricket Australia, I would like to express my warmest condolences to Bob's family, friends, teammates and all those touched by his vast contribution to cricket." Simpson was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2013. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among the first to pay tribute to Simpson. "Bob Simpson's extraordinary service to Australian cricket spanned generations. As a player, captain and then era-defining coach, he set the highest standards for himself and the champions he led," Albanese wrote on X. "He will be long remembered by the game he loved. May he rest in peace."
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Cricket Australia pays tribute to Bob Simpson
Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird has led the tributes to former Test captain and coach Bob Simpson, who has died aged 89. The Australian team, who is playing South Africa in the T20 decider in Cairns, will hold a momen't silence and wear black armbands at the Cazalys Stadium on Saturday. "Bob Simpson was one of the greats of Australian cricket and this is a sad day for anyone fortunate to have watched him play or who benefited from his wisdom. "As a brilliant opening batter, incredible slips fielder and handy spin bowler, Bob was a mainstay of a very strong Australian team in the 1960s, and he became a leader across the game as Australian and New South Wales captain and as a coach. "Bob's decision to come out of retirement to successfully lead the Australian team during the advent of World Series Cricket in 1977 was a wonderful service to the game, and his coaching set the foundation for a golden era for Australian cricket. "On behalf of Cricket Australia, I would like to express my warmest condolences to Bob's family, friends, teammates and all those touched by his vast contribution to cricket." Simpson was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2013. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among the first to pay tribute to Simpson. "Bob Simpson's extraordinary service to Australian cricket spanned generations. As a player, captain and then era-defining coach, he set the highest standards for himself and the champions he led," Albanese wrote on X. "He will be long remembered by the game he loved. May he rest in peace."
