Channel Seven AFLW expert Kate McCarthy expecting ‘fascinating tactical battle’ in West Coast-Carlton rematch

Channel Seven AFLW expert Kate McCarthy is expecting a “fascinating tactical battle” when West Coast and Carlton face off for the second time inside the span of a week in Friday night’s elimination final. The two teams came up against each other in the final round of the home and away season in a contest which saw the Blues kick the game’s final four goals to run out 20-point winners. Some Eagles players were in tears after a defeat which looked to have cruelled their hopes of featuring in the finals for the first time but Essendon’s shock boilover win over Sydney and Adelaide defeating Fremantle allowed the Eagles to finish eighth — setting up a rematch with fifth-placed Carlton at Ikon Park. McCarthy said how Eagles coach Daisy Pearce and Blues mentor Mathew Buck handled the scenario would be enthralling. “It would be unique in men’s football, but it’s even more unique in women’s football, because sometimes you don’t play the same team two seasons in a row, because of the way the fixture works,” McCarthy told The West Sport Show. “It’s a fascinating tactical battle now, with what we see between the two coaches — what did they learn, what can they change in a week. “There’s definitely moves to be made. It was a 20-point deficit (in the last game), but it was even at three-quarter-time, so when you make up those moves and try and get a little edge over the opponent in the coaches box, I think Dais has the potential to do that.” McCarthy said master coach Pearce would have the Eagles well prepared to take on the “massive opportunity” offered by their first finals campaign. “To think of the turnaround that’s been made in just the two seasons under Daisy Pearce is quite remarkable, considering their win-loss ratio up until that point as a club,” she said. “Making sure that there is a real focus, this is it, it’s do or die — they’ve essentially had that the last couple of weeks, which I think will hold them in good stead. “When you are a young group and you play your first final, it is pretty overwhelming. It’s something that you (haven’t) experienced before.” McCarthy backed the Blues to end West Coast’s first finals campaign in the opening week but said some forecast wet weather for Saturday could make for a close contest. “Carlton like to play very bold attacking football, so in trickier conditions, can the Eagles do what the Blues did to them and start to turn the ball over and score from turnover?” she said. “From what we’ve seen this season, I think Carlton have been a little bit more consistent, with Tara Bohanna back and Mimi Hill back as well, I think they look like a far better side.” The Eagles will regain the services of hard-nosed midfielder Jess Rentsch for the do-or-die clash after the hard-nosed midfielder missed the final round of the home and away season due to suspension, which McCarthy said would make a “massive difference”. “I think she probably goes to the first centre bounce and puts her arm across Mimi Hill and doesn’t leave her side for the rest of the game,” McCarthy said.