Pingrup star Belinda Smith earns votes in western derby defeat

Pingrup defender Belinda Smith produced one of her best games in West Coast colours, starring in the AFLW western derby loss to Fremantle last Sunday.

Smith is one of three Great Southern players who were in action during a bruising derby played in wet conditions at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

The Eagles trailed by 12 points going into the final term and got within a goal of their rivals in the slippery conditions but the Dockers prevailed at the final siren, 2.11 (23) to 2.2 (14).

Smith was outstanding in the defeat, starring across halfback with 17 disposals.

The 25-year-old received one vote in the AFLW Derby Medal voting for her display.

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

Smith also received three coaches’ votes, with the two senior coaches awarding a 5-4-3-2-1 vote after the game.

Denmark’s Parris Laurie was one of several casualties in the Eagles’ loss.

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

She returned to the field and spent time up forward before going back into the ruck.

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, saying it initially looked like a bad “corkie”.

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

The Eagles will travel to Melbourne to face Richmond in round three on Sunday at the Swinburne Centre.