West Coast captain Emma Swanson has been ruled out of the club’s season-opening clash with Richmond.

Swanson will miss Daisy Pearce’s highly-anticipated first game as Eagles AFLW coach with groin soreness, while fan favourite Roxy Roux will also be sidelined with a hand injury.

Young gun Bella Lewis will captain the side against the Tigers at Mineral Resources Park on Friday night.

The Eagles will unveil five debutants, while new recruits Jess Hosking and Alison Drennan will don the blue and gold for the first time.

West Coast’s top draft pick Jess Rentsch will play her first game, alongside dual-sport gun Georgie Cleaver while Sasha Goranova will make her return from an ACL injury.

Sanne Bakker, who was signed as an injury replacement player in April, joins Subiaco captain Tess Lyons and former West Coast Fever star Verity Simmons in making their debuts.

Meanwhile, Richmond will be without two-time All-Australian Eilish Sheerin for their trip west, while Charley Ryan will make her debut.

 

Fremantle will unveil three big-name signings with Gabby Newton, Ash Brazill and Aisling McCarthy all named to face Richmond at Windy Hill on Saturday, while teenager Tunisha Kikoak will make her debut.

The 19-year-old was signed as a replacement player for Dockers superstar Kiara Bowers, who will miss the 2024 season due to pregnancy.

Maddi Gay, Bess Keaney, Emily Gough, and Amy Gaylor will all play their first games for the Bombers.

Entering her sixth AFLW season, star ruck Mim Strom will celebrate her milestone 50th game, while Laura Pugh will captain the side in the absence of injured skipper Ange Stannett.