Great Southern’s Eagles trio ready to soar

Albany’s Sophie McDonald says it will be an amazing moment if she is picked to make her AFLW debut in the historic first West Coast Eagles women’s side that takes to Victoria Park in Melbourne on Sunday. McDonald along with fellow Great Southern players Parris Laurie and Belinda Smith are hopeful of lining up for the Eagles in their round 1 fixture against Collingwood. A debut in the opening round of the new season would add to McDonald’s whirlwind footy journey, having made the switch from hockey last year and only playing her first footy game in 2018. The key defender has featured in the Eagles’ two practice games and said it was a wonderful week to be involved with. “After a tough and physically demanding pre-season it hit me last Sunday that we are a week away from the real stuff,” McDonald said. “To be part of something so special for this club, this is something that won’t happen again in their history. “It’s the same thought for everyone but if I was picked to be part of the first female West Coast match and particularly being my debut as well would be unreal. “It has been a bit of a bonkers past 18 months, a real rollercoaster ride but I’m happy to be where I am.” McDonald won the inaugural Great Southern Women’s Football League fairest and best award and said the support Laurie and Smith had provided was amazing. The Denmark-raised Laurie is entering a challenging but enjoyable period personally, as she undertakes the first term back as a school teacher and leads the ruck at her second AFLW club. Despite being undersized as a ruckman, Laurie has thrived in her new environment after joining from rival WA club Fremantle and said the new season can’t come quick enough. “Last year was exciting being my first year but this is pretty special and I’m enjoying it with the girls,” Laurie said. “It’s a special weekend to come, fingers crossed I get to travel over. “Its pretty cool to all come from little country towns close to each other. “I play with Soph at Claremont as well and she’s definitely one to watch.” Pingrup’s Belinda Smith is at her third AFLW club, after previous stints with the Dockers and Western Bulldogs and after recovering from an Achilles injury was itching to just get out and play again. “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.”