Daisy Pearce has made her first foray into senior coaching after taking up the role with West Coast’s AFLW team.
As first reported by Seven's Ryan Daniels, the Eagles confirmed the news on Monday morning. Pearce, who transcended the women’s game, spent 2023 as a development and then assistant coach with Geelong in the AFL, her first season after retiring.
But she’s set to take over the position that was vacated by Michael Prior in October.
Daisy for it!
— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) December 11, 2023
In an historic day for our club, premiership captain and footy pioneer Daisy Pearce has been appointed our new senior coach.https://t.co/ymuuUXlNQn
In a club statement, the Eagles described it as “one of the biggest recruiting coups of their history” and a “momentous milestone” for the club.
Pearce herself described the move west as one that came at the right time for her professional career.
“The decision to leave Geelong was a difficult one and I want to thank the Club for everything they have done for me over the last twelve months," Pearce said.
“In a short time I learnt an enormous amount and have been surrounded by colleagues who I admire and feel so fortunate to have worked with.
“I’m grateful for the confidence Michelle, Trevor and the team have shown in appointing me for this incredible opportunity. I’m excited to be a senior coach, particularly with this young Eagles team that has so much upside.
“It has come at the right time for me and this a role and a move that my family and I are going to embrace.
“I feel a great sense of responsibility for shaping the right environment and adding to the good foundations that are already here to develop this emerging list of players. I can’t wait to get started by playing a role during the remainder of the sign and trade period and at next week’s draft.”
Pearce, 35, was one of the most in-demand people in footy given her commentary analysis and football brain. The Eagles were reported to be interested in the past fortnight, while other clubs are said to have expressed their desire to get Pearce on board.
She played 55 games for Melbourne and famously departed the game as a premiership captain after leading the Demons to Grand Final glory in 2022.
West Coast won just two games in 2023, the same number as the previous year.