Jarrad Schofield officially joins West Coast as assistant coach after Port Adelaide’s season ends

Jarrad Schofield has officially joined West Coast, just two days after Port Adelaide bowed out of the 2021 premiership race.

Schofield has spent the past three seasons as an assistant at the Power, the club where he won the 2004 premiership, and will now serve as an assistant to Eagles coach Adam Simpson.

The 46-year-old said he was grateful for his time at Port Adelaide but was ready for a return home to Perth.

“This club will always mean a lot to me and it is with a heavy heart that I’m leaving, but I see this as a step in my professional development towards fulfilling my aspiration of being a senior coach,” he said.

He will be joined at the Eagles by former Essendon head coach and Geelong assistant Matthew Knights for season 2022.

“It is great to have both Jarrad and Matthew coming to our club,” Eagles CEO Trevor Nisbett said.

“We’re delighted to have them on board and obviously believe they can have a strong impact as we look to rebound after missing out on finals this year.

“Both have impressive coaching resumes and combined with the senior coach Adam Simpson and the other coaching and football department staff, we believe we can start the process of making the adjustments we need to make in order to improve.”

Schofield played 63 games for the Eagles before heading to Port Adelaide in 1999.

He also featured in 12 games for rivals Fremantle at the end of his AFL career and then headed into the WAFL for Subiaco.

Schofield claimed three WAFL premierships with the Lions before hanging up the boots and moving to coaching.

In his six years as Subiaco coach, the Lions made five grand finals for three premierships.

Port footy boss Chris Davies said the club was disappointed to see Schofield depart.

“The role of an assistant coach is extremely demanding and Jarrad has worked tirelessly for our club. His football knowledge and insight has been highly valuable in our coaching group,” Davies said.

“However, we appreciate his desire to continue to develop himself as a coach and increase the breadth of his experience at another club.

“We wish him well with the next stage of his coaching journey.”

Schofield will take on the role of head of strategy and stoppage for West Coast, while Knights will be in charge of the club’s midfield.