AFLW great Daisy Pearce makes a HUGE career move after trolls tried to boot her out of her commentary job for Channel Seven
- Pearce appointed the AFLW coach of West Coast Eagles
- She has been involved with Geelong's AFL program
- Pearce has faced abuse for her AFL commentary
Daisy Pearce is taking the plunge and is set to take control of the West Coast Eagles AFLW side in her first role as head coach as the club looks to turn their form around.
Pearce, one of the greatest players in the AFLW's short history, has been lured from her role at Geelong, where she was development coach, to take over from Michael Prior, who resigned before the end of the 2023 season.
She will reunite with West Coast women's football chief Michelle Cowan, who coached Melbourne in 2013, with Pearce as her captain, in an exhibition series played in the lead-up to the launch of the AFLW in 2017.
“The decision to leave Geelong was a difficult one and I would like to thank the Club for everything they have done for me over the last twelve months,” Pearce said.
'I have learned a lot in a short time and am surrounded by colleagues who I admire and have been fortunate to work with.
Daisy Pearce will take control of the West Coast AFLW side in her first role as head coach
“I'm excited to be a senior coach, especially with this young Eagles team that has so many upsides.
“It has come at the right time for me and this is a role and a step 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 foundation that is already in place to develop this emerging list of players. I can't wait to get started playing a role during the remainder of the sign-and-trade period and in next week's draft.”
Pearce, who is also an expert commentator for the Seven Network, has been harshly treated by some fans on social media despite her obvious talent behind the microphone.
In 2022, she was also involved in a feud with ex-AFL legends Dermott Brereton and Rex Hunt, with the latter accusing Channel Seven of 'ruining the game' by featuring her commentary.
Last year, Pearce said she wouldn't let the haters bring her down.
'It's only two weeks of discussion, it costs you a bit of energy. “Imagine how much more preparation I could have done this weekend if I hadn't had to emotionally process this one drop at a time,” she said on SEN.
“Having your credibility questioned because you are a woman is not something new that I am just now beginning to deal with. I have quite a thick skin in that respect.'
Peace has been attacked by trolls on social media over her commentary work for Seven
Pearce is one of the most decorated AFLW players to ever play the game
Several clubs had tried to get Peace, with the Eagles of the four looking for a new coach. While three of them – the Western Bulldogs, Hawthorn and Collingwood – are in Victoria, where Pearce lives, she has chosen to move west.
Pearce takes charge of one of the worst performing teams in the AFLW. The Eagles have yet to win more than two games in a season.
West Coast finished second in 2023, winning just two games, the second coming after Prior resigned.
Pearce has been one of the most decorated AFLW players since the competition's inception, with three selections in the AFL Women's All-Australian team.
She was also named Melbourne's best and fairest three times before retiring in 2022.