Pingrup’s Belinda Smith wins Trademark Player honour plus top-three finish in West Coast club champion award

Experienced West Coast Eagles defender Belinda Smith says winning an award voted on by her teammates means everything after her side endured a tough 2023 season. Smith was one of the big winners at the Eagles AFLW awards on November 10, receiving the Trademark Player award and finishing in the top three of the best and fairest voting. Hailing from Pingrup in the Great Southern, Smith enjoyed a career-best season at AFLW level where she averaged 15.5 disposals and four marks across 10 games. The skilful defender has played 60 AFLW games and spent time with Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs before becoming a key part of the Eagles nest. It was an incredibly consistent season from Smith with her excellent on-field leadership and efforts in defence recognised by her peers who voted the 28-year-old their Trademark Player. “I’m obviously stoked and honoured that everyone voted for me,” Smith said. “Standing up and taking a few of the competition’s best forwards obviously didn’t go unnoticed by my teammates and I was able to bring my real strengths to the game with my run and carry, so that was pleasing.” The Eagles had another difficult season, winning two games and finishing 17th, while coach Michael Prior stood down with two matches to play. Smith polled 48 votes to finished behind club champion Charlie Thomas (52 votes) and teenage sensation Ella Roberts (49) in the best and fairest voting. “It was a tough season for us but it was the best season I’ve played personally,” she said. “I had a really big off season and worked hard on certain parts of my game and I was stoked it all came together. “The last two off seasons I’ve been working with a running coach, making some strides in my fitness, and this year I did a triathlon as well. “Trying different forms of cardio work, it was all super helpful and really counts for your skill execution and decision making when fatigued.” Smith said despite the difficult year on-field, she was confident the Eagles’ young group was heading in the right direction. “We’ve got such a young and exciting team,” Smith said. “To see some of the improvement, Charlie Thomas winning club champion and Ella Roberts improving again. “We got some games into the Wakfer twins and Emily Elkington so it was good to see the youth on show. “I’ve got no question in the hunger of this group, who are determined to go away in the off season and we all need to put in the work to improve in all aspects of the game. “A lot of these young girls are still learning and seeing that it’s not WAFL and the skills required at the top level.” Eagles skipper Emma Swanson (44) and Albany key defender Sophie McDonald (43) rounded out the top five in a close count. Smith heaped praise on the 23-year-old McDonald for her fifth season with the Eagles. “Soph is outstanding,” she said. “How she goes about shutting down the most dangerous key forward and she is building a reputation as the one they don’t like to play on. “We have played together for five years now and she has improved out of sight every year. “I can’t wait for the next evolution of her game, she’s an absolute gun.”