Daisy Pearce says it was challenging transitioning from beloved player to rookie coach
An AFLW trailblazer has revealed the numerous challenges she faced after transitioning from beloved player to a rookie coach in foreign territory.
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Daisy Pearce likened it to a relentless “humming pressure” which followed her everywhere during a 55-game career in the navy blue.
And after hanging up the boots in January this year after a maiden premiership at her “second home” of the Melbourne Football Club, and 10 flags with Darebin Falcons, the 35-year-old had earned a breather and be comfortable in her burgeoning media career.
Pearce, after all, had impressed plenty with her keen knowledge of the game as a commentator and pundit in an environment traditionally dominated by alpha, outspoken men.
However, she would instead throw herself into the deep end of AFL coaching, joining the Cats for four years in a development role before the start of the 2023 season.
While the Bright product remains just as busy post-playing career – she is a mother of two afer all – there has been a noticeable shift in intensity between playing and coaching.
“When I was playing footy, you’re never not thinking about it,” Pearce told this publication.
“You’re constantly thinking: ‘How did I sleep? What do I need to eat next? How’s my lower back feeling?
“Every step you take you’re analysing something, there’s this a little humming pressure on you all the time about your performance and how you’re feeling physically.
“It didn’t go away straight away (after retirement), it sort of hangs there in weird ways even once you have retired.”
While she jokes AFLW finals time has made her pine for her playing days a touch, the want to compete has slowly faded over time since Melbourne’s premiership win almost a year ago.
“At the beginning it just feels like you’re missing out on something,” she said.
“As I’ve been able to dig my teeth into the role at Geelong, it doesn’t replace the feeling of playing, but it gives you something else to pour your energy and passions into.
“You become less aware of what’s missing, and focus on the great opportunities that I’ve got.”
Pearce entered Kardinia Park during a fascinating point in the club’s history.
Having just won the club’s 10th premiership, and with more than 10 players over the age of 30, many wondered if the 2022 flag was the final hurrah of a golden age, or the next step towards further sustained success.
After opening the 2023 season with three consecutive losses, the Cats also struggled with injuries to key personnel for lengthy periods, such as Cam Guthrie and Jeremy Cameron.
From a personal front, there was also the relentless media attention, for a few days at least, surrounding Pearce’s ban from entering the Richmond and Brisbane change rooms, due to a perceived conflict of interest.
However, looking back on a transformative year, Pearce only sees strong personal and professional growth working with some of the league’s “industry leaders”.
“It’s been challenging but I couldn’t be facing the challenge in a better place,” she said.
“I’ve stepped into a completely different footy club, a men’s program, and I’m diving into coaching for the first time, it’s all new,
“Rather than something I knew and had done as part of the rhythm of my life for a number of years.
“Just that change has been a big challenge.
“It’s been great.”
After the familiarity of the Dees, building relationships has been “the biggest thing” for Pearce at Geelong.
“Getting to know people, working out the best way to go about helping them,” she said.
Fortunately, Pearce has acquired plenty of “transferable skills” during her playing days, earned simply through longevity or holding down leadership positions.
“It’s a good apprenticeship for thinking about others and trying to get the best out of others,” she said.
“It was just a comfortable place (at Melbourne).
“While I was always getting challenged, it was almost like a second home.
“Footy clubs have a lot of similarities, but they also have a lot of different ways of going about it, different identities.”
Pearce has not lost that feeling of gratefulness whenever she enters Kardinia Park.
“Every day I walk into the Geelong Football Club I just feel so lucky taking on that challenge,” she said.
“It’s not just industry leaders in terms of the success they’ve had in their various roles.
“They’re just good people that are really supportive and encouraging of me as I embark on my coaching journey.”
Pearce, who adored Melbourne coach Mick Stinear during her playing career, has regularly leaned on three-time premiership player and Cats assistant Nigel Lappin for counsel.
“Nigel Lappin’s been a big one, he’s probably been my biggest mentor since I got to the Cats,” he said.
“I felt so lucky to be coached by him … just a great human.
“All the coaches are really generous with their time.”
Pearce also meets with chief executive Steve Hocking about the next steps in her development and the challenges so far: “His support and encouragement has been invaluable as well.”
While she’ll always be a Dee in some shape or form – she was after all the club’s inaugural pick in the AFLW draft, captain and three-time best and fairest winner – even Pearce has been surprised by her swift transformation from navy blue to the hoops.
“It sort of happens quicker than you imagine, and quicker than I imagined, that you get invested in the club you’re working for,” she said.
“At Melbourne are some of my best mates, you want to see them do well in life and footy.
“Part of my heart’s there (at Melbourne).
“But you get swept up in the club you work for and the colours you’re wearing.
“It does happen really quick.”
Looking towards a new campaign, her second at Geelong, Pearce has been impressed by the “attitude and appetite” she’s seen from the returning players, following the “palpable disappointment” she sensed within the group at season’s end.
“They’ve come back in really good shape, but they’ve been joined by Patty Dangerfield who just wants to be there and working on his game,” she said.
“It’s a good sign the boys are going to have the right attitude and launch into the pre-season.
“We hope we get a better run with injuries this season.”
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