West Coast Eagles AFLW Strengthen Coaching Panel with Kane Mitchell Appointment
The West Coast Eagles AFLW program is undergoing a significant coaching overhaul ahead of the 2026 season, with the headline addition being former Port Adelaide player and Claremont star Kane Mitchell. This strategic move comes on the heels of the club's most successful campaign to date, where they secured a maiden finals appearance.
Building on a Breakthrough Season
Under the guidance of coach Daisy Pearce, the Eagles enjoyed a record-breaking 2025 AFLW season. The team clinched six victories, finishing in eighth position and earning their first-ever finals berth in the competition's seven-year history. This achievement is now being used as a foundation for future success, with the club actively reshaping its coaching structure to propel the program forward.
Kane Mitchell Takes Charge of Midfield Development
Kane Mitchell, the esteemed 2012 Sandover Medallist, has been entrusted with leading the Eagles' midfield unit. His primary responsibility will be to nurture and develop emerging talents such as Ella Roberts and Lucia Painter. Mitchell brings a wealth of experience, having won two premierships with Claremont in the WAFL and recently honing his coaching skills at Quairading Football Club and Scotch College.
Comprehensive Coaching Reshuffle
Mitchell's appointment is part of a broader restructuring of the Eagles' AFLW coaching panel. The changes include:
- Chad Morrison, a former Eagles player and Academies Coordinator, transitioning into the full-time role of backline coach.
- Darrin Harris, who joined the club's board in 2024 as a coaching mentor, taking on a part-time position as forwards coach.
Leadership Enthusiastic About New Additions
Michelle Cowan, the Eagles Head of Women's Football, expressed her excitement regarding the new coaching appointments. "We've all had a great break and are really excited about the upcoming AFLW season," Cowan stated. "We look forward to announcing our full coaching lineup and changes as they're finalised, but in the meantime, the appointments of Darren, Chad and Kane represent the ongoing enhancement of our program. We're thrilled to add their experience and skillsets to our coaching ranks in 2026."
Farewell to Rohan McHugh
As a consequence of these new additions, forward coach Rohan McHugh will be departing the setup. McHugh, who also served as interim coach for two matches following Michael Prior's unexpected resignation in 2023, has been a long-standing member of the team. Cowan acknowledged his contributions, saying, "As we move forward with the program and see new people join the team, unfortunately, we also need to say farewell and thank you to others. Rohan has been a long-term member of the team, and we thank him for his contribution over the last four seasons."
The West Coast Eagles are clearly intent on capitalising on their recent momentum, with these coaching changes designed to foster further growth and competitiveness in the AFLW arena.
