In a remarkable turnaround that's sent shockwaves through the AFLW competition, the West Coast Eagles have stormed into the finals after years of struggling at the bottom of the ladder. The secret to their stunning success? A strategic masterstroke that involved borrowing heavily from North Melbourne's proven playbook.
The blueprint for success
West Coast Eagles head of AFLW Michelle Cowan has openly revealed how studying and implementing North Melbourne's successful framework became the catalyst for their dramatic improvement. After seasons of disappointment, the Eagles leadership made the conscious decision to analyse what made the Kangaroos such a consistent force in the competition.
'We looked at North Melbourne's model and identified key elements we could adapt,' Cowan explained. 'Their approach to player development, game strategy, and club culture provided the roadmap we needed to transform our own program.'
From strugglers to contenders
The transformation has been nothing short of extraordinary. Where the Eagles once languished near the bottom of the standings, they've now emerged as genuine finals threats. The implementation of North Melbourne's methods has yielded immediate results, surprising even the most optimistic of supporters.
Cowan emphasised that the adaptation wasn't about blind copying but rather intelligent adoption. 'We took the core principles that made North Melbourne successful and tailored them to fit our unique club identity and playing group,' she noted.
Key areas of improvement
The strategic borrowing touched multiple aspects of the Eagles' program:
- Player development pathways that mirror North Melbourne's successful academy system
- Game style evolution focusing on the Kangaroos' trademark pressure and ball movement
- Leadership structures that empower players and create accountability
- Cultural foundations that build resilience and team-first mentality
A new era for West Coast AFLW
The Eagles' finals qualification represents more than just a successful season—it signals the arrival of a new powerhouse in the women's competition. Cowan's leadership in implementing these changes has positioned West Coast as a club others will now study.
'This isn't the end point for us,' Cowan stated confidently. 'Making finals is an important milestone, but we're building something sustainable here. The North Melbourne blueprint gave us the foundation, but we're now adding our own innovations to take the next step.'
The success of this strategic approach serves as a powerful lesson for other developing teams in the competition. Sometimes the fastest route to improvement isn't reinventing the wheel, but learning from those who've already mastered the journey.
