Painter to debut in Eagles season opener

FORMER Bendigo Pioneers midfielder Lucia Painter has been quick to make an impact at West Coast Eagles and will make her AFLW debut against Gold Coast in Perth this Thursday night (14 August).

Selected with pick seven in last year’s AFLW draft, Painter has wasted no time in building on her reputation as one of the competition’s most promising emerging midfielders.

The 19-year-old is one of two players from the Eagles’ 2024 draft crop selected for the season opener at Mineral Resources Park.

She will be joined by small forward Kayla Dalgleish, who was drafted from Dandenong Stingrays with pick number 57.

Painter, co-captain of the Pioneers last season, has made her way to the AFLW with a reputation as a strong overhead mark, an elite penetrating kick and composure under pressure, making her a dangerous prospect around the ground.

The powerful onballer/forward starred for Victoria Country at the last year’s national championships, earning All-Australian honours after averaging 17.7 disposals (including nine contested) and seven tackles per game.

“I’m absolutely stoked and incredibly grateful to be making my debut in round one,” Painter told the Eagles website.

“It’s been amazing meeting, playing and learning from all the inspirational women at the club, and I’m so proud to be able to pull on the Eagles AFLW jumper for the first time.

“I’ve settled in well and have been working really hard, with plenty of high challenge and high support from our staff and players.”

In a historic moment for the Pioneers, Painter was one of three of the club’s players to be picked in the top 15 of last year’s draft.

Key position player Alexis Gregor was selected by Geelong with pick 10 and dual-code athlete Lavinia Cox found her way to Hawthorn with pick 15.

Painter, who played locally with St Killians St Peters, Sandhurst and White Hills before making her mark at the Pioneers, will wear number 8 for the Eagles.

The Eagles will introduce one more newcomer against the Suns, with experienced AFLW recruit and former North Melbourne ruck Liz McGrath set to don the blue and gold for the first time.

Coached by AFL hall of famer Daisy Pearce, the Eagles will eyeing a rise up the ladder after finishing 13th last season with a 4-7 record.