Top West Coast draftee Lucia Painter has produced a debut to remember, booting three goals in a third-quarter blitz to lead the Eagles to a 15-point win over Gold Coast.
It looked as if Eagles superstar Ella Roberts was going to be the difference when she dominated the first quarter with two goals from 11 disposals.
But it was Bendigo product Painter who proved to be the main attraction on a cold Thursday night at Mineral Resources Park, stunning the Suns’ defence to lead the Eagles to a 5.5 (35) 2.8 (20) victory.
It took just four minutes for the Eagles to get their season started through Roberts (24 goals and two goals) who slotted the first goals of the game.
And then four minutes later she added another from a snap after they forced a turnover at half forward as they dominated the first 10 minutes.
It wasn’t all going the Eagles’ way however, with important defender Beth Schilling injuring her foot in the first quarter, ruling her out for the rest of the game.
The Suns lost their dominance at the clearances in the second term but continued to put West Coast’s defence under pressure.
West Coast’s backline was resolute and didn’t break as they continued to hold the Suns goalless.
Whenever they went forward it was Roberts or bust in the first half as they lacked threatening options in attack.
Gold Coast were aware of this and regularly double-teamed Roberts to ensure she had no room to move in attack.
The Suns finally kicked their first goal of the season three minutes into the third term when an errant kick in defence landed in the lap of Georgia Clayden who kicked truly.
West Coast responded instantly when Painter (13 disposals and three goals) was awarded a free kick at the top of the goalsquare, slotting a goal to spark scenes of jubilant celebration.
Painter wasn’t done yet. Jessica Rentsch drove the ball deep to the 19-year-old, who kept the ball in front of herself and then got away, snapping the ball on her left for a second goal for the quarter.
After Painter slotted her third goal the Eagles had what seemed to be an insurmountable 21-point lead at the final break.
Promising Suns forward Havana Harris gave the visitors some hope with a strong mark and goal early in the final term, but it was going to take a lot to run down the Eagles.
And they didn’t have enough time or options, as the Eagles held the ball in their half for much of the final term to secure the win in their first game of the season.
SCOREBOARD
WEST COAST 2.1, 2.2, 5.4, 5.5 (35)
GOLD COAST 0.2, 0.4, 1.7, 2.8 (20)
Goals – WEST COAST: L Painter 3 E Roberts 2. GOLD COAST: G Clayden H Harris.
Best – WEST COAST: L Painter A Roberts C Thomas E Swanson A Bushby A Drennan. GOLD COAST: C Rowbottom L Single H Harris M Brancatisano L Mithen C Wilson.
Injuries – WEST COAST: B Schilling (foot) A Drennan (ankle).
Umpires: K Nund T Burgess J Orr. Crowd: 1453 at Mineral Resources Park.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/west-coast-eagles/aflw-2025-dynamic-debutant-lucia-painter-stuns-in-third-quarter-blitz-to-lead-west-coast-to-victory-c-19644739
