West Coast defender Belinda Smith kicks first goal of AFLW career in heavy loss to Gold Coast Suns

Pingrup’s Belinda Smith kicked the first goal of her AFLW career, as the West Coast Eagles went down by 73 points on the road in round two of the season on Saturday.

Smith, who played junior footy for Lake Grace-Pingrup, was playing in her 52nd AFLW match but in the previous 51 the experienced defender had not kicked a major.

However, that all changed when she was swung forward in the fourth quarter of the loss to the Gold Coast Suns at Heritage Bank Stadium.

Smith booted her first goal in the AFLW, running in and slotting it home early in the fourth term before celebrating with teammates.

The major was one of three the visitors kicked in the final term, another set up by Smith in the forward half, but the Suns emerged big winners in the end 15.9 (99) to 4.2 (26).

Smith finished with 14 disposals, three marks, two goal assists and 302m gained in the heavy defeat.

Albany defender Sophie McDonald had five touches in the defeat.

The Eagles will now look to bounce back when they host Carlton at Mineral Resources Park on Sunday.

The Blues have one win from their first two fixtures of 2023 while the Eagles will be hoping to get off the bottom of the ladder with their first victory.