Smith pumped for lift-off with Eagles

Pingrup’s Belinda Smith says there is a buzz around the West Coast women’s side as it prepares to make history at Victoria Park against Collingwood this weekend. The Eagles will field their first AFLW side against the Magpies on Sunday in round one of the national competition, with Smith one of three Great Southern-raised players on their list. Smith, pictured right, was recruited by West Coast during the sign-and-trade period last year, having played 15 AFLW games during stints at the Western Bulldogs and Fremantle Dockers. Training four nights a week with the Eagles, Smith is raring to go after recovering from surgery to fix her ruptured Achilles from a practice match back in February last year. The 24-year-old said pre-season with the West Coast squad had been refreshing and she hoped her form in the practice games would earn her a spot in the Eagles side that travels to Melbourne to take on the Pies. “Pre-season has been really enjoyable and physically very challenging,” Smith said. “With so many players in their first or second season conditioning has been really important so we can get through an entire season. “Match committee is this week so I’m just training as well as I can to hopefully be in the frame for selection. “We’re training four nights a week with an additional gym session. “It’s a lot to juggle with work but my work is very understand and flexible with my football commitments which definitely helps.” Smith said the feeling amongst her Eagles teammates and from the entire club was overwhelming. “Everyone is really excited for the upcoming season,” she said. “We’ve all worked really hard and it’s a little surreal that we’re finally on the eve of the season. “You can feel the buzz around the club — everyone from media to players in the men’s team are stopping us for chats in the hallways just to say good luck.” Smith, traditionally a defender, has spent time training with the forwards over the summer but said she was happy to play any role to help the team win. Denmark’s Parris Laurie and Albany’s Sophie McDonald are also part of the Eagles’ debut season and Smith said it was a great showcase of the talent in the region and also would help inspire kids from any background to give footy a go. “It is very exciting to have the three of us all from the same area and all with three very different pathways to getting to this level,” Smith said. “I think that gives a lot of girls and boys some inspiration that there’s not one pathway to follow to make it, and you can pick up the sport at any age or any experience.”