UPDATE: West Coast Eagles coach Daisy Pearce has praised her team’s defensive resilience following a 17-point defeat against the Adelaide Crows at Norwood Oval on Saturday. Despite a challenging game, the Eagles managed to keep the score manageable in a match that could have ended in a far greater loss.
The Crows dominated key statistics, winning the clearance count 31-15 and inside 50s 43-23, ultimately securing a victory of 7.6 (48) to 4.7 (31). However, Pearce highlighted the heroics of players like Georgie Cleaver, who recorded six marks and 14 intercepts in her impressive performance.
“Georgie has grown a lot, and our defenders, as the game wore on, got organized and held down well,” Pearce said. “To defend such a big discrepancy in inside 50s and give us a chance going into the last quarter was a credit to them.” The Eagles kicked three goals to one in the final term, showing determination after trailing by 29 points at three-quarter time.
“I’m proud of the way they kept coming,” Pearce continued. “We’ve come to expect that from our team; they never give up and play to the end.” The coach emphasized that the team’s ability to secure a strong finish is crucial as they strive for improvement week by week.
Despite the disappointment of the loss, Pearce noted that the Eagles are still focused on their goal of reaching the finals. Currently sitting in seventh place, they have three rounds remaining, starting with a quick turnaround against Geelong at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Friday night.
“We were competitive and came here believing we could win,” Pearce stated. “But if we look at our growth, that maturity and resilience to keep fighting was pleasing.” The coach also singled out Charlotte Riggs, who returned to her home state of South Australia and played a pivotal role, kicking 1.1 and contesting for the ball effectively.
“Adelaide’s defense made it challenging for our forwards, but Charlotte gave us a contest and looked dangerous,” Pearce said. The Eagles remain motivated as they continue to chase their first finals appearance, using this match as a learning experience to build upon.
“It helps with energy and motivation in coming in each week,” Pearce concluded. “We are focused on improving, and today we came out with valuable lessons that we will work on as we prepare for Geelong.”
As the Eagles gear up for their next match, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how they apply these lessons on the field. The urgency to improve and secure a finals berth remains at the forefront of the team’s mission.
