West Coast Eagles coach and Hall of Famer Daisy Pearce on mentoring next generation of AFLW stars
exclusive
West Coast Eagles coach and Hall of Famer Daisy Pearce on mentoring next generation of AFLW stars
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
10 hours ago
- Perth Now
Community generosity shines for Jords' Big Freeze
Shirvo takes the icy plunge at Big Freeze 11 Community generosity outshone even the return of dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe in Claremont on Saturday as nearly $100,000 was raised for motor neurone disease during Jordan's DIY Big Freeze. Sporting legends united ahead of the Tigers' WAFL clash with Peel Thunder, braving torrential downpours before hitting the ice water to support local father Jordan Early. Mr Early was diagnosed with MND just five months ago, but the disease has already stolen his strength and part of his speech. 'I got weaker, I started to struggle with my speech, not as bad as it is now, but those were the first signs,' he said. Olympian Jayde Taylor goes down the slide. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian 'It's a battle every day, because it's degenerative, things are changing all the time. So you might lose one function, but something else shows up.' The 42-year-old is a father to three young children, alongside partner Jo Moullin, including one who attends school alongside AFLW legend and current West Coast women's coach Daisy Pearce's twins. Jordan Early and Jo Moullin. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian Pearce, a seasoned slider after being a part of the inaugural Big Freeze in Melbourne in support of AFL champion Neale Daniher, was one of the first to sign on to support the Early family. 'Sebby, their eldest son, goes to school with my twins, and it's an amazing community. To see Jo and Jords with everything they're going through with their three kids is pretty eye-opening, and I want to do everything I can to support them,' Pearce said ahead of the event. AFLW West Coast coach Daisy Pearce. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian 'To watch a family like theirs go through it is terrible, but to see their strength and courage as they do and to think about everything they're battling as a family with three young kids (is inspiring). 'To see their generosity and their spirit to give what they can and to inspire people to do what they can to ensure future families don't go through what they are is so humbling.' Freddie Davies 5yo enjoying the puddles at Claremont Oval. Credit: Jackson Flindell / The West Australian The big-name sliders didn't end with Pearce, as the initiative raised about $93,000. Eagles legend and current head of football at the battling club, John Worsfold, donned a skirt and tennis racket as he went down the slide. John Worsfold slides. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian Former tennis star Alicia Molik sported perhaps the most popular outfit, emulating rising star Harley Reid in a headband and West Coast jumper. 2006 Norm Smith medallist Andrew Embley continued the trend of Eagles to head down the slide, dressing as Australian children's cartoon favourite Bluey. Rudy Davies 2yo enjoying the puddles at Claremont Oval. Credit: Jackson Flindell / The West Australian West Coast have been a staunch supporter of fundraising for MND, given Daniher's connection to the club as well as the fact that he was working there when he was diagnosed. Two-time Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning Hockeyroo Jade Taylor, the first down the slide, also took inspiration from the younger generation, dressing as Minnie Mouse. Alicia Molik heads into the water. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian The end of the sliding didn't deter the strong crowd from sticking around as Fremantle champion Fyfe returned from a calf injury with Peel. The 33-year-old wasn't fussed with the thick mud and rain, standing head and shoulders above the competition, collecting 28 disposals, six tackles and five clearances in a little more than a half of footy. Nat Fyfe in action. Credit: Jackson Flindell / The West Australian He was also a favourite among the fans, taking time to sign footballs on his way off the water-logged ground at half-time before taking photos and having a brief chat with fans post-game, his documentary crew never far away.
The Age
10 hours ago
- The Age
‘I'm like an Allies girl': Why this footy superstar would turn her back on the Big V
Molloy wants more footy and more chances to put the game's elite players in the spotlight, and has long wanted the All-Australian side to play together each year. 'I'm lucky to have a couple of All-Australian blazers and I think to myself, God, I'd love to see this team play,' Molloy said. 'I don't know where we play or who we play against, but I always thought to myself that it would be intriguing. 'We've seen so many exciting formats in the men's game, we've seen Origin in the past [in AFLW] and I'd love it. I'd absolutely love it. 'Any way we can showcase talent and put them all together – I'd love to see it in any format.' Some captains also expressed interest in an Australia v Ireland series between AFLW and Gaelic football stars, given the influx of Irish talent. But whatever the format, it must be a good product. 'We need to make sure it is something people want to watch and really build it up,' Crows captain Sarah Allan said. The teams If State of Origin were to return, Molloy believed the teams should be decided based on where a player's club is located, not where they were raised. But there is still strong state allegiance from those who would don an Allies jumper. Collingwood skipper Ruby Schleicher was already picking her WA side mid-interview – Ebony Antonio and Emma Swanson were among her selections – and hatching a plan to claim Chelsea Randall from South Australia's clutches. 'It would be great to get the old gang back together of people we used to play against in the WAFL,' Schleicher said. 'There is that state pride, there is nothing like putting your own colours on. But whatever it looks like, I'll put my hand up.' Carlton captain Abbie McKay said she would jump at the chance to play for Victoria or Australia. 'It would be awesome,' McKay said. 'I played one year for Vic Metro [at under-18 level] and it would be an honour to do it again.' Queensland could also field a strong side considering Brisbane Lions are a perennial contender and the Gold Coast are producing a host of talented players. 'There is that much talent that Queensland could have our own team – I'd probably say Queensland, South Australia and Victoria could all give it a red-hot crack,' Hawthorn captain Emily Bates said. The standard The AFLW played a State of Origin game in September 2017, when a Debbie Lee-coached Victoria thumped the Allies by 97 points at Marvel Stadium. Daisy Pearce, Ellie Blackburn and Jasmine Garner were among the stars for the Vics. Schleicher was adamant such a result wouldn't be repeated. 'Hey, hey, hey, you are talking to a WA girl here – of course not,' Schleicher exclaimed. Bates was a part of the Allies team in 2017. 'We got absolutely pumped, so that wasn't a great memory,' she recalled. 'But I think it would be great for the game and showcase the best talent available, I'm keen to see it happen again.' Richmond captain Katie Brennan was also on that Allies side and said the talent is far better than in 2017. 'The talent from all the different states is extraordinary now,' Bates said. 'I'm a Queenslander, born and bred, and that talent pathway has gone from strength to strength. There would be more competitive balance out there and it would be an awesome sight to see.' Molloy was more pragmatic about the format. 'The under-18s is where we display our state talent. I would take a more holistic view and have the Allies playing Victoria as Victoria is like the footy capital,' she said. The timing The league's continued expansion is written into the CBA – with the current 18-team competition only playing for 12 rounds plus finals. While Origin would be a way to get more games in the calendar, the same issues that plague discussions of the return of the competition for the men's game would be problematic for the women. Playing a series on the eve of the season could see star players injured ahead of their club campaigns; playing at the end or in the off-season would interrupt their breaks. Playing representative football in the middle of the regular season – for example, making the game a showcase event on AFL grand final day or eve – is also likely to be unpopular with clubs. 'The only trouble [in 2017] was the injuries that came from the game, so that would be a risk. But I think we should do it,' Bates said. 'Timing is tricky. Girls often travel in the off-season and whatnot, I think the perfect time would be straight after the season when you still have your match fitness.' Molloy ruled out a mid-season Origin. 'I don't think fixturing it during the season is appropriate. We want to win the premiership, every team wants to win the premiership, so you don't want to take away from that journey.'
The Australian
16 hours ago
- The Australian
AFL 2025: West Coast Eagles young gun Elijah Hewett delivers ultimatum
West Coast Eagles youngster Elijah Hewett is calling for greater accountability and selection pressure on those unwilling to compete. Hewett has been one of the Eagles' rare positives in their otherwise poor, one-win season. But after another big loss to Melbourne on Saturday, a visibly dejected Hewett offered an honest review of West Coast's effort. 'If you're not competing and don't want to win, then you can't really play for this side. We've got to hold each other accountable during the week,' he said. 'We've got the opportunity to be a part of something great and nothing is more fulfilling to me than a team bottom of the ladder working its way to the top. 'I've been put in a special position to play for the team I have loved growing up and taking it to the top with teammates I love. Elijah Hewett is sick of losing. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images 'It starts off right now with the game review, figuring out what went wrong and what went right. I think what went wrong today was a bit of intent, a bit of role stuff, execution. We've got to figure it out. 'We've got to be stronger at the ball. There was too many times we pulled up and didn't put our head over the footy. We've got to figure that out and be tougher.' Hewett, 21, has played in just four wins across his 31-game career. He says the pain of this year, with just the solitary win against St Kilda, has cut the group deep. 'Just not getting wins, you play footy to win, you don't play footy to play,' he said. 'There's only so long you can kind of keep going without getting a win. It's just good to fuel momentum at least getting a win on the board. 'We've had one the whole season, so it's been really tough. We've got to stay locked in and find the positives week to week. 'They (the Eagles young players) are incredibly invested … it's quite emotional to be honest, quite upsetting not getting the results we want, but we'll stick fat. 'Guys have the right intent, they want to get better, I can trust that.' Tyler Lewis Sports reporter Tyler Lewis is a sports reporter based in Melbourne's south east. @tmlew_ Tyler Lewis
