Geelong development coach Daisy Pearce will depart the club after being appointed coach of the West Coast Eagles AFLW team.
The former Melbourne star spent 2023 with the Cats as a development coach following her retirement from the Demons.
Her role included game planning, match committee meetings, a seat in the matchday coaching box, and working with Geelong’s 1-4-year players.
“I’m grateful for the care and support I received in my role as a development coach with Geelong, and leave the club fortunate to have learnt from some of the best minds in the business,” Pearce said.
“In particular, I’d like to thank Steve Hocking, Chris Scott and Nigel Lappin, who have all been incredible role models and mentors in my first season coaching in the AFL.
“Geelong is widely revered from the outside for its high-performing culture and outstanding people. To have the opportunity to be inside the club exceeded the external perception and was a privilege.
“All that I have learned at Geelong will hold me in good stead as I embark on my next chapter with the Eagles’ AFLW program, and I’m excited to be able to continue my development as a coach.”
Pearce played 55 AFLW games for Melbourne and hung up the boots after captaining the Demons to the Season 7 premiership.
“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,” Cats football boss Andrew Mackie said.
“When Daisy joined the club through the Coaching Acceleration program, it was to fast-track her development and expand her existing skills and knowledge whilst giving greater insight into the workings of a football department as a coach, and the program has delivered just that.
“This is just the next step in what looks set to be a long, exciting journey for Daisy in the AFL and AFLW coaching space, and we were thrilled to have been part of the start of that journey.”
