West Coast Eagles ruck Lauren Wakfer had a heartbreaking injury in her debut season for the side last year, seeing her spend it in rehab after a knee reconstruction, watching on as her twin sister Zoe lived out their combined dream.
She has now announced her return triumphantly, being nominated as one of two Rising Stars for the AFLW’s Round 5, alongside Sydney Swan Ella Heads.
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Defeating Port Adelaide by six points, Wakfer’s Eagles found their first win of the season, and it was made sweeter with the youngster having a huge day out.
Finishing the day with seven tackles, 14 disposals and two marks, she showed why she dominated the rucks in the West Australian draft pool.
Wakfer held her own in the match-up against Power’s Matilda Scholz, who used her added height and experience to apply pressure to Wakfer consistently.
The Wakfer name became well-known following the 2022 draft, when Zoe attended the draft night to support her sister, and unexpectedly got drafted herself.
At pick No.15, West Coast had selected Lauren with the second live pick in Western Australia, despite the ruck being just a week on from a full knee reconstruction.
Then, with pick No.36, Zoe, who hadn’t even attended the draft in her South Fremantle club polo, anticipating she’d be in Melbourne purely supporting her sister, was brought to tears.
The Eagles called out the key defender’s name with the final selection of the first round, then handed her a polo, which she proudly wore over her dress.
West Coast broke through for their first victory while celebrating Emma Swanson’s milestone match in style with a six-point triumph.
Skipper Swanson led the way as the Eagles held off a last-gasp Power surge to cling on for a 6.3 (39) to 4.9 (33) win in a fiery clash at Mineral Resources Park on Friday.
With only one point separating the teams at the final change, the Eagles’ forward Kate Bartlett then booted two majors in her return match to give the hosts some breathing space.
But the Eagles (1-4) had to withstand a late challenge from the Power after Gemma Houghton kicked her second goal with three minutes remaining until the visitors ran out of time.
The win snaps the Eagles’ 10-match losing streak and lifts the side off the bottom of the ladder as they look to avoid a second AFLW wooden spoon after finishing last in season six.
Swanson was outstanding early in her 50th match and finished with 24 disposals, four clearances and 394 metres gained to inspire the Eagles to a much-needed victory.
Both teams found goals hard to come by, but Eagles midfielder Aisling McCarthy stood out with two majors to help set up the win.
McCarthy also collected 22 disposals to be among the Eagles’ best along with Charlotte Thomas (24), Belinda Smith (21) and Isabella Lewis (17, one goal).
“We knew they were going to come out, and the momentum was going to swing, and the girls just held on, that was an awesome fight,” Swanson told FoxFooty after the match.
“Credit to Port Adelaide as well, they came out with some heat, but I’m super proud of our girls.”
The Power (1-4) had their chances to open up a lead in the first half but paid the price for wayward shooting as they went into the main break with only 1.7.
Young gun Abbey Dowrick impressed in an enthralling battle with Swanson in the midfield, while making her own impact with 22 disposals and nine clearances.
Power superstar Erin Phillips was well held for much of the contest but popped up with a goal on the cusp of the last change that ensured the teams would fight out a tense final term.
“We’re exceptionally disappointed in the performance that we put out there tonight,” Power coach Lauren Arnell said.
“They outplayed us and took their opportunities, and we didn’t. We’re disappointed in some of the lack of discipline that we had tonight, and also the lack of composure in our front half really hurt us.”
West Coast will look to make it two consecutive wins when they face GWS at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday, while Port Adelaide host Sydney at Alberton Oval later the same day.
Alongside Wakfer is Sydney Swans academy product Heads, also nominated for the Rising Star award this week for her performance in the Swans’ five-point loss to Carlton.
Heads had 18 disposals, four marks and six tackles to seal her nomination.
– With AAP
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