WEST Coast has welcomed 15 new players to its ranks in recent months, almost completely changing the makeup of its first-choice team, after winning just one game by two points last season.

B: Z.Wakfer  B.Schilling
HB: S.McDonald  B.Smith  E.Bennett
C: E.Roberts  I.Lewis  A.McCarthy
HF: K.Gibson  I.Cameron  A.Schmidt
F: K.Bartlett  K.Petrevski
FOLL: S.Lakay  E.Swanson  D.Hooker
I/C: C.Thomas  H.Bullas  J.Sedunary  E.Smith  S.Davison

Emerg:  A.Bushby  C.Rowley

After an action-packed trade and draft period, and ahead of AFLW season seven, womens.afl reporters Gemma Bastiani and Sarah Black have taken on the task of putting together each club's best 21 on paper. This isn't each side's likely R1 side, but rather a look at what each team's ideal line-up could be.

West Coast players listen to coach Michael Prior at a training session on July 2, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

Changes from last season

The Eagles' backline has been the least stable line, with Belinda Smith and Sophie McDonald the only consistent players since the club joined the AFLW in 2020. Both are vital players in terms of their 1v1 ability and willingness to rebound, but regularly find themselves under relentless pressure, while Emily Bennett started to find her place in that defence last season. Evangeline Gooch was recruited to assist, but will miss the season with a wrist injury, and regular defenders from season six Amber Ward, Lauren Gauci and Ashton Hill have all moved on.

Belinda Smith gets a kick away during round eight, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

These thin defensive stocks open the door for any of the club's glut of similar, contested midfielders to step up, add another bow to their game and assist in defence.

Beth Schilling and Zoe Wakfer look likely to take on the key defensive roles but will also be needed to support in the ruck. After Parris Laurie's retirement, Sarah Lakay is left as the only available ruck as high-profile draftee Lauren Wakfer sits the season out with an ACL injury.

In the mix

Isabella Simmons is another option in the forward line/wing who coach Michael Prior could select, but she would need to show she can be an effective conduit between the contested midfield strength and newfound attacking setup. Meanwhile Emma Humphries and Mikayla Western both offer options around the half forward arc.

Emma Humphries during a West Coast AFLW training session at Mineral Resources Park on July 2, 2022 in Perth, Australia. Picture: AFL Photos

Eleanor Hartill is another raw ruck/key defensive option who was added as Lauren Wakfer's replacement, and the speed of her development will dictate what the Eagles' backline ultimately looks like, pushing for spots currently occupied by Zoe Wakfer and Schilling.

Through the middle, Courtney Rowley, Jaide Britton, Abbygail Bushby, Emily Elkington and Sasha Goranova all have the potential to push into the side as the midfield puzzle continues to come together throughout the remainder of the preseason, and season proper.

Abbygail Bushby runs the 2km time trial during the AFLW Draft Combine Western Australia at the WA Athletics Stadium on May 26, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos