AFLW Senior Coach Sam Wright has made five changes to his side set to face West Coast, with forwards Eliza James and Kalinda Howarth set to return to the side.
It will be James’ first game of 2025, with the 22-year-old looking to bolster Wright’s forward line this weekend against the Eagles.
Howarth will also return after missing last week’s clash to the Bulldogs to a knee injury sustained against the Hawks and will line up alongside AFLW debutant Georgia Knight who has been named at centre half forward.
Knight, who was selected with pick 26 in the 2024 AFLW draft from the Eastern Ranges, will be the Club’s fourth AFLW debutant of the season.
The dangerous forward brings an impressive junior career resume, having kicked 27 goals in 16 games in the Coates Talent League, which also includes a five-goal haul at national level for Vic Metro under the roof at Marvel Stadium in their 33-point win over Vic Country.
Named alongside Knight is fellow 2024 signing Kellyann Hogan, who will play for the first time since recovering from shoulder surgery after sustaining an injury in her Round 1 debut.
Irish defender Muireann Atkinson rounds out the changes to the side, with the 28-year-old coming in for her 16th AFLW game since debuting in Round 1 last year.
First year winger Violet Patterson will be managed for the clash, while Nell Morris-Dalton, Annie Lee, Mikayla Hyde and Alana Porter have all been omitted.
Hyde, Lee and Georgia Clark will be the emergencies for the clash.
Sunday will be the Pies’ first official interstate clash of 2025, and the first clash in the state of Western Australia since Collingwood’s 29-point win over Fremantle in their season 7.
The Magpie Army will be able to enjoy the match on Fox Footy and kayosports.com.au, like from 5:00pm (AEDT).
Round 8
West Coast v Collingwood
Sunday 5 October, 5:05pm AEDT (2:05pm AWST)
Mineral Resources Park, Whadjuk
