Game Day AFLW Round 7, 2025: West Coast vs GWS Giants

[HoneyBadger35]

Explain to me how a top up player gets the same opportunities as a first round draft pick. Not sure why the club brings players in if they aren’t going to find out what they are made of. Shown more than enough to get more opportunity. There are several others getting a game on apparent good will. And by the way most culture are built on fairness concepts. West coast as a whole has an awful culture. Maybe they should think about fair a tad more…?

We’re down to top ups, there by definition can’t be several others getting games on goodwill alone. Selection for Round 7, 2025 isn’t the full extent of opportunities. Kavanagh and Stean, two last minute inclusions to today’s team due to injuries and illness in the squad, playing similar minutes today is perfectly reasonable. They were the next two cabs off the rank in a week they weren’t in line to play at all.

Long term, over the course of their careers, of course Kavanagh will get more opportunities. She showed some really smart footy nous in that second term. She’ll get another run at it. Today is not the end of her journey.

Walking someone into the side because of where they were drafted isn’t fair or a culture builder either - not saying this is happening either, just saying there’s lots more that goes into the culture than giving everyone the same minutes every week.

From the outside, it would seem the Eagles AFLW culture under Daisy has been about the brightest of any club in footy, just quietly.

 

[UseR2006]

Explain to me how a top up player gets the same opportunities as a first round draft pick. Not sure why the club brings players in if they aren’t going to find out what they are made of. Shown more than enough to get more opportunity. There are several others getting a game on apparent good will. And by the way most culture are built on fairness concepts. West coast as a whole has an awful culture. Maybe they should think about fair a tad more…?

This post shows you haven't been watching any AFLW this year and I can dismiss anything you say.

 

[UseR2006]

 

[Ilkka Sinisalo]

Explain to me how a top up player gets the same opportunities as a first round draft pick. Not sure why the club brings players in if they aren’t going to find out what they are made of. Shown more than enough to get more opportunity. There are several others getting a game on apparent good will. And by the way most culture are built on fairness concepts. West coast as a whole has an awful culture. Maybe they should think about fair a tad more…?

Kavanagh frankly wasn’t very good in her first two matches. Granted both were on the road, one against probably the second-best team in the comp. But she didn’t do enough to show that she should be an automatic in.

Now I think she showed better flashes today and there are definitely high hopes for her down the track, but she’s just turned 20 and missed her entire debut season with an ACL rupture, and the AFLW fixture doesn’t offer great opportunities to round into shape in the WAFL. It’s always super uncomfortable judging womens’ fitness on their body shape, but to my eye test she just hasn’t got the fitness base to run out a match playing mostly midfield (which is her natural position).

Hopefully she continues to offer some positive things the rest of this year and then is able to use a healthy offseason to fully train and build her tank.

 

[kird]

We’re down to top ups, there by definition can’t be several others getting games on goodwill alone. Selection for Round 7, 2025 isn’t the full extent of opportunities. Kavanagh and Stean, two last minute inclusions to today’s team due to injuries and illness in the squad, playing similar minutes today is perfectly reasonable. They were the next two cabs off the rank in a week they weren’t in line to play at all.

Long term, over the course of their careers, of course Kavanagh will get more opportunities. She showed some really smart footy nous in that second term. She’ll get another run at it. Today is not the end of her journey.

Walking someone into the side because of where they were drafted isn’t fair or a culture builder either - not saying this is happening either, just saying there’s lots more that goes into the culture than giving everyone the same minutes every week.

From the outside, it would seem the Eagles AFLW culture under Daisy has been about the brightest of any club in footy, just quietly.

I suggest you ask around - out side of Perth…?!

Kavanagh frankly wasn’t very good in her first two matches. Granted both were on the road, one against probably the second-best team in the comp. But she didn’t do enough to show that she should be an automatic in.

Now I think she showed better flashes today and there are definitely high hopes for her down the track, but she’s just turned 20 and missed her entire debut season with an ACL rupture, and the AFLW fixture doesn’t offer great opportunities to round into shape in the WAFL. It’s always super uncomfortable judging womens’ fitness on their body shape, but to my eye test she just hasn’t got the fitness base to run out a match playing mostly midfield (which is her natural position).

Hopefully she continues to offer some positive things the rest of this year and then is able to use a healthy offseason to fully train and build her tank.

It’s hard to tell. That’s my point. And fitness builds with game time no? I can tell you plenty of Victorian eyebrows raised…

 

[Ochre]

Hope the club is pushing behind the scenes to align the WAFLW with the AFLW season or something along those lines. Not getting a heap of seniors game time second year off an ACL isn't a huge deal but players like Kavanaugh outside the 21 need game time for development and to help push for a spot.

 

[Rids]

Just got home - really fun game to be at. Thought this would be 50/50 with the illness to Dalglesih, Drennan and Roux but so impressed with how the team stood up.
Roberts live is amazing - her work in the contest is incredible. Thought that was the best I've seen Lauren Wakfer play - great contest work in the ruck and up forward. Georgie Cleaver is developing really nicely - cut off a lot of Giants attacks today. Jess Rentsch is so fun to watch - every time she gets it looks to take the game on. Plenty others impressed as well - Rowley, Gibson, Britton, Thomas etc.

 

[HoneyBadger35]

I’d prefer to not celebrate a record breaking win by arguing with a friend/relative of Kayley Kavanagh about her usage.

She’s 20, she’s coming back from an ACL directly via AFLW without any state league footy to build off of.

She’ll have a good career. Her minutes in Round 7, 2025 aren’t the be all and end all.

 

[Ilkka Sinisalo]

I’d prefer to not celebrate a record breaking win by arguing with a friend/relative of Kayley Kavanagh about her usage.

She’s 20, she’s coming back from an ACL directly via AFLW without any state league footy to build off of.

She’ll have a good career. Her minutes in Round 7, 2025 aren’t the be all and end all.

Yeah, ultimately what it comes down to is that we are not a development club, getting games into young players in hopes that they come good. We are more than halfway into the season and in the top 8! The best side is that is available gets selected; there is no other option.

 

[kird]

I’d prefer to not celebrate a record breaking win by arguing with a friend/relative of Kayley Kavanagh about her usage.

She’s 20, she’s coming back from an ACL directly via AFLW without any state league footy to build off of.

She’ll have a good career. Her minutes in Round 7, 2025 aren’t the be all and end all.

Gee - you eagles fans must have a low bar for records. Neither friend nor relative. Interested follower of Victorian women’s footy for the past 5 years struggling to understand self congratulatory illogical thinking. My advice would be to wait a while…you might be right although signs aren’t good

 

[HoneyBadger35]

Gee - you eagles fans must have a low bar for records. Neither friend nor relative. Interested follower of Victorian women’s footy for the past 5 years struggling to understand self congratulatory illogical thinking. My advice would be to wait a while…you might be right although signs aren’t good

Ok so you’re just here to be a flog, got it.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

[kird]

Ok so you’re just here to be a flog, got it.

Thanks for stopping by.

Someone told me today they have a soft spot for the eagles. Not something you hear every day. Wonder why…?

 

[HoneyBadger35]

Someone told me today they have a soft spot for the eagles. Not something you hear every day. Wonder why…?

Because nobody else would ever voluntarily strike up a conversation with you?

There are many other boards on this site. I wish you luck as you explore them.

 

[Ilkka Sinisalo]

Gee - you eagles fans must have a low bar for records. Neither friend nor relative. Interested follower of Victorian women’s footy for the past 5 years struggling to understand self congratulatory illogical thinking. My advice would be to wait a while…you might be right although signs aren’t good

Great news! Perhaps you have noticed in the past two years we also drafted out of Victoria Jess Rentsch (walk-up starter since she joined the club), Lucia Painter (same, except she’s currently out through concussion) and Kayla Dalgleish, who despite being one the last players selected in the 2024 draft had played ever match this season (until she missed through illness this week) and drew widespread praise from the Eagles’ coaches and this board.

The idea that Victorian girls are getting the shaft is laughable; we’ve drafted/recruited some really good ones recently and more will be coming.

 

[bzparkes]

Great news! Perhaps you have noticed in the past two years we also drafted out of Victoria Jess Rentsch (walk-up starter since she joined the club), Lucia Painter (same, except she’s currently out through concussion) and Kayla Dalgleish, who despite being one the last players selected in the 2024 draft had played ever match this season (until she missed through illness this week) and drew widespread praise from the Eagles’ coaches and this board.

The idea that Victorian girls are getting the shaft is laughable; we’ve drafted/recruited some really good ones recently and more will be coming.

Great post.

Painter, Rentsch and Dalgleish have been amazing so far this year.

 

[Matele]

I just wanted to post a meme..

 

[Mr Q]

Finally got to take my boys down to see an AFLW game, and got to say it was a really good experience. The kids had a pile of fun and really enjoyed the day out.

(The eldest also finally got to see the Eagles win a game this year - he missed out on the St Kilda win when his brothers both got the nod that week)

 

[bUCKET__]

Britton's best game today. Ran hard defensively, blocked, moved the ball forward and got on the end of some as a good reward. Had a consistent year to boot but this one was stepping up again. Really good to see her locking a wing down.

And speaking of best games, Gibbo just blew hers out of the park. Lakfer did as well with more time in the ruck.

Franky has a benchmark game now this season too. Not for the goals, just the effort. Leads, contests. She doesn't need 10 touches to bring her teammates into the game.

 

[RookiePick]

---

Franklin had a blinder. She committed to her contests all day and the goals were a nice reward.

Coaches should be showing her hitting that marking contest running out of full forward on loop. Excellent commitment and it shook out a goal from what looked like it was going to be a routine intercept. Franklins POTD for mine.

 

[FatPizza]

Great news! Perhaps you have noticed in the past two years we also drafted out of Victoria Jess Rentsch (walk-up starter since she joined the club), Lucia Painter (same, except she’s currently out through concussion) and Kayla Dalgleish, who despite being one the last players selected in the 2024 draft had played ever match this season (until she missed through illness this week) and drew widespread praise from the Eagles’ coaches and this board.

The idea that Victorian girls are getting the shaft is laughable; we’ve drafted/recruited some really good ones recently and more will be coming.

There's a rumour going around that the coach may also be from Victoria!?

 

[Ilkka Sinisalo]

Finally got to take my boys down to see an AFLW game, and got to say it was a really good experience. The kids had a pile of fun and really enjoyed the day out.

(The eldest also finally got to see the Eagles win a game this year - he missed out on the St Kilda win when his brothers both got the nod that week)

Haven’t been able to attend a match yet this season due to travel or family commitments (the one I could have gone to was against Freo, but the weather was horrific) but definitely for people with younger kids I think it’s a better experience than going to an AFL match. Less traffic (or less crowded on the train), not as loud, and the game doesn’t got for as long. Similar to going to WAFL, which is cheap as chips and the kids get to have a run-around on the field between quarters.