Channel 7 set to make call on Daisy Pearce's commentary role for 2024 AFL season
Daisy Pearce's place in Channel 7's AFL commentary team is still unclear weeks out from the new season.
Daisy Pearce's role on Channel 7's AFL coverage remains under a cloud, as the broadcaster is yet to decide on whether or not she will remain part of the commentary team. Pearce will coach the West Coast Eagles in the upcoming AFLW season but has previously stated that she wants to continue her media commitments.
The AFLW champion has worked as a game-day commentator and pundit on the Seven Network for the last two years - a role that caused controversy last season due to her job as an assistant at Geelong. Several AFL clubs banned Pearce from entering their rooms post-match as they were concerned she might report gained insight back to the Cats.
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After being unveiled as the new West Coast coach, Pearce said she's keen to continue working on Channel 7 in 2024, telling SEN: "If there's any way that I can stay involved with the Seven Network and the media work around that, I'll definitely explore. It's a conversation for (Seven West Media chair) Kerry Stokes, (Managing Director for Seven Melbourne) Lewis Martin (and I), who have been so supportive of me before this and in making this decision."
But The Age reports less than a fortnight out from the new AFL season, Pearce is none the wiser about if she still has a job as a pundit with Network Seven. "Daisy is settling into her life in Perth with her young family and her new role as West Coast AFLW coach," Seven's head of sport Lewis Martin said in a statement. "Once she’s settled and ready, our 7AFL executive producer, Gary O’Keeffe will continue to work closely with her to finalise her role with Seven’s AFL broadcast."
Pearce, 35, captained Melbourne in the women's competition from its commencement in 2017 through to her retirement in 2022. She led the Demons to the flag in her final year before transitioning into a coaching career.
Daisy Pearce excited by West Coast Eagles challenge
Pearce is the Eagles' fourth senior coach in five seasons and comes to a club that has been devoid of success. West Coast's AFLW side has never reached the playoffs but despite their struggles, Pearce believes the side has huge potential and has some serious talent coming through the ranks.
"I see it as an incredible opportunity to come over here and work for one of the biggest clubs in the land," she said after being appointed last year. "The talent that is on this list is probably what excited me first and foremost. I’ve watched this competition really closely and the Eagles are a team that haven’t performed as they would have liked … but with the talent on the list I think there’s a really exciting future ahead. I was really keen to be a part of it."
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