West Coast announce AFLW great Daisy Pearce to coach the Eagles women’s team in 2024

After a fairly luckless first few years in the AFLW competition, the West Coast Eagles have this morning announced one of the club’s biggest recruiting coups ever with the appointment of Melbourne legend Daisy Pearce as senior coach for 2024.

One of the most decorated players in AFLW history, Peace was this 2022 Melbourne premiership captain, three-time all-Australian, three-time Melbourne fairest and best and four-time AFLPA AFLW best captain.

In recent years Pearce has also been building a highly-respected career in media as a commentator.

“We are obviously thrilled to have someone of Daisy’s standing joining our club,” Chief Executive Officer Trevor Nisbett said today. “This is a tremendous fillip for our women’s program and she comes to us at an ideal time to assist in the growth and development of our team.”

Pearce has been part of the Geelong men’s team coaching structure over the past year as a development coach, and jumped at the opportunity to coach the Eagles in 2024.

“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,” she added. “I’m excited to be a senior coach, particularly with this young Eagles team that has so much upside.”

Attention will quickly turn to building a solid foundation for the West Coast Eagles AFLW side, who have been unable to make finals since entering the competition in 2020, and only had two wins in 2023 and finished second last on the ladder.

“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,” said Pearce.

“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.”

Header Image Credit: Mark Brake/Getty Images