AFLW: West Coast Eagles recruit Matilda Sergeant undergoes surgery on stress fracture in her foot

West Coast recruit Matilda Sergeant has had surgery to repair a stress fracture in her foot. Sergeant, who joined the Eagles ahead of this season but suffered a significant knee injury during pre-season, went under the knife in Perth on Thursday, The West Australian can reveal. The injury is an existing navicular stress fracture Sergeant carried during her time at cross-town rivals Fremantle. The West understands Sergeant reported a tender foot as pain increased in recent months, with the Eagles taking the opportunity to repair the stress fracture while the 25-year-old was sidelined for the season. Sergeant injured her knee during a training drill back in March and was sent for immediate surgery. The West understands the midfielder’s recovery from the ACL injury had been tracking faster than first expected. “We’re heartbroken for Matilda, it’s devastating news for her and for our team,” new Eagles coach Daisy Pearce said at the time. “The club will wrap their arms around her and support her through this difficult time. “We will be by her side and look forward to her continuing to play an active part in our program.” The former Claremont player landed at the club with pick 42 in last year’s draft after an outstanding WAFLW season. She played 19 games for Claremont for the Dockers, but was delisted in 2022. Subiaco ruck Tess Lyons and Claremont star Jayme Harken were listed by the Eagles as replacement players on the eve of the new season. It comes as the Eagles get set to take on Western Bulldogs and Collingwood in a two-game road trip to Melbourne. Octavia Di Donato has been named for her debut against the Bulldogs on Thursday night, just over a month after she was added as cover for Dana Hooker. Harken has been dropped for the clash.