West Coast co-captain Charlotte Thomas reflects ahead of 50th straight game as Eagles eye finals

West Coast co-captain Charlie Thomas has wasted no time in bringing up her 50th AFLW game - she hasn’t missed one since making her debut in 2022.

The 22-year defensive fulcrum believes it’s all part of the evolution of the elite women’s game forged by players such as her coach Daisy Pearce.

“I was talking about it with Daisy and she was a fair bit older before she played her 50th,” Thomas said ahead of Saturday’s crucial Pride Round clash with Adelaide at Norwood Oval.

“It’s a pretty cool thing that young girls are playing so many games at such a young age.

“Super proud and excited and hopefully we can turn up against Adelaide, because it’ll be a good test.”

The Eagles are on a record-breaking rampage this season. With four rounds remaining, they sit sixth on the ladder with a 5-3 win-loss record as they chase a maiden finals berth. Their last two victories have been by record scores.

“It’s so process driven and such a week-to-week mindset,” she said.

“We’re not like sitting around talking about all the records that we happen to be breaking just through playing good footy and team footy.

“We’re obviously in a really good spot and enjoying our footy, and it shows out on track and we’re getting results from it. We’re super clear on what we have to do.”

The Eagles face seventh-placed Adelaide, before returning home for a clash with Geelong and round out the home-and-away season against Sydney (ninth) and Carlton (fourth).

“It’s really exciting going to the next couple of games. It’s such a great opportunity just to put our heads down and go to work each week and stick to the process that has gotten this far. And we’ll just see where that places us at the end.”

Thomas said she marvelled at the form of Eagles’ midfielder Ella Roberts, who is in the mix for the women’s best and fairest.

“I pinch myself sometimes when I watch the way that she flies at the footy and then gets knocked over and bounces up straight away.

“It’s unreal to watch. To be on the same team as her, I’m really proud.

“It’ll be interesting to see at the end of the year. Ella will keep doing her role every single week for us.”

Roxy Roux will also play her 50th game, coming in for midfielder Courtney Rowley, who was in stellar form before rupturing an ACL last weekend against Collingwood.

The highly-rated Rowley suffered the same injury in the final round of 2023 before returning for the final three rounds of 2024 and had not missed a game this season.

“Really disappointing for Courtney, she’s worked so hard to get herself back,” Pearce said.

“Her attitude already, the way she’s responded it gives you great confidence she’s going to come back better.

“She’s been a real shining light in our midfield and her versatility to go back and play any role as well.

“So a bit disappointing but the group’s really rallied around her, as I know they will. And yeah, next one in.”

The Eagles are ranked the third-best team defensively, but still have some work to do offensively to catch the tearaway ladder leaders North Melbourne and Melbourne.

“We speak about our best offensive looks coming from good defence,” Pearce said.

“When we fight really hard to win the ball back in dangerous areas, it makes it easier to attack.

“But definitely we’re growing in our understanding of where our strengths and weapons lie with our offence and how to make the right decisions at different stages of the game, but also with where we are on the ground.

“So it’s been good to see that growth and get a bit of reward for it.”