Excitement around new coach Daisy Pearce building in West Coast Eagles camp insists Albany’s Sophie McDonald

West Coast Eagles AFLW defender Sophie McDonald says her teammates are in awe of having the “iconic” Daisy Pearce at the helm of their side heading into this season. McDonald, who finished in the top five of the Eagles’ 2023 fairest and best count alongside fellow Great Southerner Belinda Smith, made the trip back to her hometown this month after being nominated for the Albany Sportsperson of the Year Award. During her visit, which follows on from the Eagles’ Great Southern development tour earlier this month, the classy key defender said her team is eyeing an improved season under the guidance of their recently appointed head coach Pearce. “She (Pearce) is such an icon, especially for the women’s game and so for us to be the ones to have her coach is a huge honour and a privilege,” McDonald said. “When I first heard she was our coach I had to pinch myself, I just couldn’t believe it. “It’s really exciting and with the depth of knowledge that she brings to us it just helps us further develop.” Having managed just eight wins across their first five seasons, the Eagles endured a bitterly disappointing 2023 season winning just two matches to finish 17th. But McDonald said her team is building strong foundations during an extended off-season to hit the ground running when they officially return to Minerals Resources Park later this year. “We have an off-season program to do, so keeping fit and keeping on top of the skills about three times a week,” the 23-year-old said. “So we’re almost doing like a little rehearsal run for pre-season at his point in time. “I think especially coming off the back of last season where we’ve had a bit of turnover in the list as well, it’s been really comforting to have all the girls come into the club and just really connect quite easily. “That’s really exciting for us and with all that new change it brings a lot of excitement around the club and around the team and hopefully that brings momentum into the way that we play.” The start of AFLW season is set to coincide with the AFL’s pre-final bye in the final week of August.