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It’s one of the most daunting tasks in football.
But Eagle Aisling McCarthy was up for the challenge.
In the days leading into West Coast’s round one clash with Adelaide, senior coach Michael Prior and midfield coach Hamish Brayshaw pondered how they could dull the influence of inaugural Port Adelaide captain and AFLW great Erin Phillips.
The answer – their electric Irishwoman.
Not only did the star Eagle keep Phillips to 10 touches, albeit limited by a corked quad, but McCarthy instigated West Coast’s 12-point come-from-behind victory with a stunning goal of the year contender.
“I have huge respect for Erin and what she’s done in AFLW. It was obviously a daunting task but when I looked at some of the clips, I knew her game,” McCarthy said.
“It was always a team-first attitude. So if I went out and got zero touches today, that was fine by me as long as Erin didn’t have a huge impact.
“If it didn’t work out, the coaches had a few other things up their sleeves as well.
“Maybe it’s a role I’ll continue to play or maybe it was just this week. It gave me something to focus on as well which makes footy a bit easier when you have one focus.
“She rolled forward a bit in the second half so at times I was nearly the deepest defender which isn’t really my forte. But we had that covered.”
McCarthy finished with 18 touches, eight tackles, six clearances and the first of West Coast’s four fourth-quarter goals.
“There was a bit of luck I think,” she said.
“Two Port girls ran into each other which gave me a bit more time.
“Probably my Gaelic background came into it as well…that hook kick around the corner. You practice a few at training but you don’t ever think that it’s going to happen like that in a game.”
