Pingrup footballer part of historic Eagles first team

Pingrup’s Belinda Smith has made her debut for the West Coast Eagles, part of their historic first-ever women’s side to play in an AFLW match when they faced Collingwood at Victoria Park on Sunday. The Eagles fell 27 points short of a fairytale win in their first game, as an experienced Magpies outfit kicked three goals to nil after half-time on their way to a comfortable 5.8 (38) to 1.5 (11) win. Dana Hooker kicked the Eagles’ first goal in history and it would end up their only major of the round one contest. Starting in a back pocket, Smith impressed in defence to finish with seven disposals and two tackles in her first showing in Eagles colours. “It was our third ever game together. There was a lot to like ... but we probably fell a little bit short in some of the contests,” Eagles coach Luke Dwyer said. Having grown up playing for the Lake Grace-Pingrup Bombers, Smith is now at her third AFLW club after previous stints with Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs. She was one of three Great Southern footballers with the Eagles, playing alongside Denmark’s Parris Laurie and Albany’s Sophie McDonald. The 24-year-old and her new teammates now have their attention firmly focused on their round two clash with cross-town rivals the Dockers. The first ever women’s derby between the two clubs will be played at Optus Stadium this Saturday starting at 4.10pm. For Smith and Laurie, it will be the first game against their former club.