Belinda Smith’s superb season continues but West Coast slump to sixth loss of disappointing AFLW season

The West Coast Eagles slumped to a sixth loss of the AFLW season, this time thumped by 70 points at the hands of Narrm at Mineral Resources Park on Sunday afternoon.

Great Southern pair Belinda Smith and Sophie McDonald were kept busy in defence as the reigning premiers kicked seven unanswered goals to coast to an 11.16 (82) to 2.0 (12) victory.

The Eagles soaked up 12 inside-50 entries in the second term and held Narrm goalless while Eagle Courtney Rowley kicked the only major of the quarter, but it was a different story after half-time.

Smith was again a terrific contributor for the 17th placed Eagles, the Pingrup defender’s form in 2023 sure to have her as a leading contender in the club’s best and fairest voting.

She finished with 11 disposals, six marks, five tackles and 187m gained in the loss.

Albany’s McDonald collected four touches and laid one tackle but her side could do little to stop Narrm speedster Alyssa Bannan who finished with a game-high five goals.

The visitors dominated the inside-50 count 52 to nine and Bannan was well supported by Eden Zanker and Kate Hore who chipped in with two majors each.

Smith is enjoying a career-best season, averaging 15.7 disposals per game along with 4.9 marks and 2.9 tackles.

The Eagles will be on the road this week, travelling to Windy Hill to tackle an in-form Essendon side on Sunday as they search for a second win of the season.