AFLW: West Coast Eagles set to welcome back co-captain Bella Lewis for round one clash with Gold Coast Suns

West Coast are planning for new co-captain and midfield star Bella Lewis to play in their blockbuster AFLW season-opener against Gold Coast on Thursday night. Lewis has not featured in either of the Eagles’ pre-season practice matches this season as the club manages her recovery from a pre-season injury niggle. The Eagles drew with Western Bulldogs on Saturday night at Mineral Resources Park in their final official practice match after a match simulation defeat to Fremantle the week before. Daisy Pearce’s side play on the opening night of the season against the Suns at Sullivan Logistics Stadium in Leederville. Lewis’ co-captain Charlie Thomas expects her to be there. “That’s the plan, she will be back for round one which is great,” Thomas told The West Australian. “Obviously we just wanted to give her every chance possible to be ready for round one and it’s looking very positive at the moment, so that’s really good.” Thomas has played both of the club’s practice matches as a sole captain, while young gun Ella Roberts returned for the hit-out against the Bulldogs. The new skipper said the team that drew at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday felt closer to a full-strength side. “It will be good to have a couple of girls back in, but the people that were able to show their talent at the weekend and in the Freo praccy as well, all of the the new girls got a gig so it was awesome to see them unleash their talent,” Thomas said. “I think they did a really, really great job. We’re only going to get better from here.” The Eagles’ clash with the Suns comes immediately after the season-opening match between Carlton and Collingwood. That game is a throwback to the league’s first-ever match as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations. Thomas said she hopes fans also flock to Leederville Oval to celebrate, even though the match starts at 7.15pm on a school night. “It’s super exciting, Thursday night footy will be really good. It’s a school night, so hopefully parents bring down their kids,” she joked. “Second game of the season, which is pretty cool. To play Gold Coast and even more so at home, it’s super special.”