Eagles' Coaching Shake-Up: New Hope Amid Departures in 2025 Season
West Coast Eagles are reshaping their coaching staff for the 2025 season under Andrew McQualter, promising new strategies and hope for fans.
Eagles' Coaching Shake-Up: New Hope Amid Departures in 2025 Season
Change is afoot at the West Coast Eagles as Andrew McQualter shakes up the coaching staff following a challenging season. After only one win, the Eagles are looking to turn things around with a revamped lineup. Midfield coach Jarrad Schofield, who took over as interim coach last year after Adam Simpson’s departure, has officially announced his exit after four years with the club. Ryan Turnbull, the ruck coach, has also stepped down due to increasing work and family commitments. John Worsfold, the football boss, expressed gratitude to both Schofield and Turnbull for their contributions to the Eagles.
In a statement, Schofield thanked the players, staff, and dedicated fans, highlighting the strong sense of community at the club. His departure marks the end of an era, especially following the earlier exit of Luke Webster, a long-serving assistant and former senior AFLW coach. Meanwhile, Harley Reid’s commitment to the team offers a glimmer of hope for the future, suggesting that the Eagles can build around emerging talent.
A New Look Coaching Staff
As part of these changes, McQualter has brought in fresh faces to bolster the coaching structure. Marco Bello will now take on the role of forwards coach. Bello, who previously worked at Adelaide and has significant coaching experience with Hawthorn, is tasked with developing the Eagles‘ attacking strategy. McQualter expressed enthusiasm about Bello’s background, especially in nurturing young players.
Additionally, the coaching staff will include Luke Shuey focusing on stoppages and Luke Webster overseeing the backs. Jamie Maddocks steps in as the new head of development, while Shannon Hurn takes on the role of development coach. McQualter, along with Worsfold, played an instrumental role in recruiting Bello, aiming for a fresh start as they enter the 2025 season.
Adding to the team’s coaching depth, Kyal Horsley will return for his second season as head coach of the WAFL Eagles, contributing to the talent pipeline that West Coast hopes to cultivate. With Jacob Brennan also remaining in a development role, the organization is laying a strong foundation for its future. The club welcomed new talent like Liam Baker and Matt Owies during the recent AFL Trade and Free Agency period while bidding farewell to club legends Jack Darling and Tom Barrass.
It’s clear that the Eagles are determined to rebuild and create a more competitive side as they look ahead. The combination of new and returning coaches offers a fresh start, but as always, results speak volumes in the world of Australian football. Will these structural changes bear fruit? Only time will tell as the Eagles prepare for a new chapter in 2025.