Isaac Smith predicts Daisy Pearce to have instant influence on Geelong

While it may be a few weeks before Daisy Pearce officially joins Geelong, Cats midfielder Isaac Smith is excited to see the retired AFLW great in action at her new club.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 18: Daisy Pearce poses for a photograph with partner Ben ONeill and children Roy and Sylvie during the Melbourne Demons AFLW Press Conference announcing the retirement of Daisy Pearce at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 18, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

CATS midfielder Isaac Smith believes Daisy Pearce will have an immediate impact at Geelong, with the former Demons captain set to join the Cattery for the 2023 season.

The AFLW trailblazer announced her retirement from playing on Wednesday after 55 games and a premiership at Melbourne, and will join the Cats in an undefined coaching and development role.

Smith said the former Demons skipper would be a “huge asset” to the Cats.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 18: Daisy Pearce and daughter Sylvie are seen during the Melbourne Demons AFLW Press Conference announcing the retirement of Daisy Pearce at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 18, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“I think she will (bring a different perspective), I think everyone we get in these doors brings a different insight and a different mix into the group,” he said.

“Daisy having the profile she’s already got will mean that she’ll probably have influence as soon as she walks in the door.

AFL Football Geelong Cats training. Cats player 07 Isaac Smith Picture: Mark Wilson

“I think the impact that she’s had on AFLW has been huge, the impact she’s now having in the men’s game, especially with her commentary and media stuff, a lot of that with Channel 7, I think the club’s extremely excited to get her on board.

“What she can bring (to the Cats) I’m not sure, I’m not over Daisy’s skill set specifically in her coaching role.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 18: Daisy Pearce and daughter Sylvie share a kiss during the Melbourne Demons AFLW Press Conference announcing the retirement of Daisy Pearce at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 18, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“We’ve seen the football department transition, especially in the last three to four years with the growth of the AFL women’s game.

“As a club we’re very excited to get Daisy down here … I think she’ll be a huge asset to the club.”

Pearce led Melbourne to its first AFLW premiership last season, with the victory almost convincing the great to go round again.

“The satisfaction of last season — the enjoyment and the closeness of the bonds that we’ve now formed — it actually made it a bit more confusing and harder to step away,” Pearce said on Wednesday.

“It’s probably been one of the harder decisions that I’ve ever had to make.”

Originally published as Isaac Smith predicts Daisy Pearce to have instant influence on Geelong