West Coast Eagles ruck hurt in bruising AFLW derby

Denmark’s Parris Laurie battled through pain in a bid to get West Coast Eagles across the line in a bruising AFLW Western Derby played in wet conditions at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Sunday.

The Eagles fell nine points short of the Dockers but Laurie was one of several casualties for the losing side.

The star Eagles ruck went down clutching her right knee after a marking contest and was helped from the ground.

With the Eagles trailing by 12 points going into the final term, a brave Laurie returned to the field and spent time up forward before eventually going back into the ruck.

The Eagles got within a goal of the Dockers in the slippery conditions but Fremantle prevailed at the final siren, 2.11 (23) to 2.2 (14).

The Eagles also lost Niamh Kelly and Andrea Gilmore to finger injuries before three-quarter-time and before the round two clash suffered a major blow, with club champion Dana Hooker ruled out for the rest of the season after having surgery on her injured foot.

Laurie had 18 hit-outs, four disposals and two tackles and Eagles coach Daniel Pratt was hopeful she would be available to play in round three.

“We’ll have to wait and see, it looks like a bad corkie,” Pratt said.

“She’s a leader in the group and she put her hand up to go and play again.

“I didn’t want to play her in the ruck, she was happy to go forward but she ended up putting herself back in the ruck so that probably shows the quality of her character.”

Fellow Great Southern product Belinda Smith was outstanding in the defeat, starring across half-back with 17 disposals.

Hailing from Pingrup, Smith received one vote in the AFLW Derby Medal voting and three coaches votes for her performance.

The medal was won by star Docker Kiara Bowers (22 possessions, seven clearances, one goal).

Albany defender Sophie McDonald finished with eight touches for the Eagles.