Daisy Pearce is being chased by the West Coast Eagles among several AFLW clubs who want to secure the ex-Melbourne champion’s services going forward.
Pearce retired at the conclusion of the 2022 season, with her final game a Grand Final win over the Brisbane Lions.
Spending 2023 as an assistant coach in Geelong’s men’s program and a game day analyst for Channel 7, the 35-year-old has quickly risen to one of the most in-demand people in footy.
Now, as first reported by Code Sports, the Eagles are among the clubs most keen to recruit Pearce to be their next AFLW head coach.
Fremantle great Paul Hasleby sees a prospective agreement as a good deal for both parties.
“I can confirm that the interest is certainly there from the West Coast Eagles. I think she ticks a lot of boxes for the Eagles,” he declared on SEN WA’s The Run Home.
“Given where they are in their juncture, they need to continue to build and grow this young team and find a good relationship coach.
“She’s been around the AFLW system for a long time, very successful as captain, premiership captain at the Melbourne Football Club last year and I think she’s done enough in recent time to warrant going for this position and getting this position.”
Former Eagles coach Michael Prior resigned in October after three years in the job and just two weeks after walking back explosive comments aimed at AFL House.
West Coast won just two games this year, the same number as 2023.
Code Sports’ Eliza Reilly reports several clubs are in the hunt for Pearce, although the Eagles have a different offer to others.
West Coast women’s head of football is Michelle Cowan, who coached Melbourne for all three years of the exhibition series prior to the league’s commencement with Pearce her captain.
“There’s still a bit of water to go under the bridge I think there is certainly that interest there,” Reilly added.
“But the caveat is there is obviously a lot of interest in Daisy s an AFLW and my understanding is several clubs have made enquires as to her availability, so it really is over to Daisy…”
Dani Laidley has also declared her interest in coaching the West Coast Eagles.
Pearce has three years to run on her contract at Geelong as part of the AFL’s women’s coach acceleration program.
She played 55 games for Melbourne to win three best and fairests and claims three All-Australian blazers.