Former AFLW star Daisy Pearce unveiled as new West Coast coach

It was always a matter of if not when Daisy Pearce would become a coach and her first appointment is set to be a real challenge.

Daisy Pearce will coach West Coast. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Daisy Pearce is taking the plunge and is set to assume control of the West Coast Eagles AFLW side in her first role as a head coach,

Pearce, one of the greatest players in the AFLW’s short history, has been lured out of her role at Geelong, where she was a development coach, to take over from Michael Prior, who stepped down before the end of the 2023 season.

She will reunite with West Coast head of women’s football Michelle Cowan, who in 2013 coached Melbourne, with Pearce as her captain, in an exhibition series played in the lead-up to the AFLW being launched in 2017.

“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 12 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 excited to be a senior coach, particularly with this young Eagles team that has so much upside.

Daisy for it!

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

— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) December 11, 2023

“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.”

Several clubs had tried to get Peace, with the Eagles among four looking for a new coach. While three of them – the Western Bulldogs, Hawthorn and Collingwood – are in Victoria where Pearce resides, she’s opted to head west.

Pearce takes charge of one of the worst-performed teams in the AFLW. The Eagles are yet to win more than two games in a season.

West Coast finished second last in 2023, winning just two matches, the second coming after Prior had stepped down.

Pearce, who retired from playing with Melbourne after their 2022 premiership win, has also been working as a commentator for Channel 7.