Daisy Pearce, one of the AFLW's biggest names, has been appointed as the new senior coach of the West Coast women in a major coup for the Eagles. The Melbourne premiership captain and TV commentator rivals Erin Phillips as the most prominent figure in the short history of the AFLW competition. It will be Pearce's first AFLW senior coaching role. Pearce retired after captaining Melbourne to their first premiership last year, then joined Geelong on a four-year deal as a development coach in their AFL program. "I'm excited to be a senior coach, particularly with this young Eagles team that has so much upside," she said in a statement. "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." She will head west with the Cats' blessing. "While we're disappointed to lose Daisy from our AFL program, we understand the significance of this opportunity, and wish her every success in her new role with the Eagles," said Geelong football boss Andrew Mackie. On the weekend, the Demons named their AFLW best and fairest award after her. Pearce was one of the AFLW's original marquee players when the league started in 2017. Her glittering career at the Demons featured three club best and fairest awards, three All-Australian selections and four players association honours as the AFLW's best captian. Former North Melbourne AFL coach Dani Laidley had expressed interest in coaching the West Coast women, but it is unclear whether she applied for the job. Pearce has picked a tough assignment for her AFLW senior coaching debut - the Eagles finished second-bottom this season. In five seasons they have managed just seven wins from 37 games. Coach Michael Prior did not see out the season after back-tracking on his criticism of being fixtured against powerhouse Melbourne, following a 70-point loss to the Demons. Assistant Rohan McHugh was interim coach for the rest of the season. Hawthorn, the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood are also in the market for new AFLW senior coaches. Australian Associated Press
