MELBOURNE skipper Daisy Pearce will make her first foray into coaching with the NAB AFLW Academy, joining Vic Metro coach Jacara Egan and GWS captain Alicia Eva in the program.

Pearce, Egan and Western Australia U18 girls coach Beau McDonald will look after the women's program, while Eva will work alongside Jason Davenport and Tony Bamford in the AFL boys' Academy.

This year marks the first time there is an even split between men and women across the coaching panels, with the overall program headed up by Tarkyn Lockyer.

"It'll be my first proper coaching experience, and it's something I've always thought once I stop playing that I'd like to explore. I look forward to getting a taste of it. I think I'm just someone who really cares about people I'm surrounded by when I play footy, and want to do anything I can as a teammate to see them succeed," Pearce told womens.afl.

"I think as a coach, you just ramp up that because you're not playing any more, you have to get the best out of who you're coaching. I love the tactical side of the game, but so much of it is about building relationships and trying to transfer your passion for the game to help inspire others."

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Pearce played the straightest of bats when asked about her playing and coaching future, with reports having linked the star veteran to Geelong in an AFL men's development role when she decides to retire.

"What's next is a preliminary final in a week's time. I'm super excited about the opportunity we have with the Dees this year," Pearce said.

"It's funny, once you get to this point in the season, you get such tunnel vision that it's hard to think about much else. I'll enjoy the opportunities we have at hand, and think about what's to come after that.

"I haven't coached, so this will be something I'll get out, sink my teeth into and see how I go, starting with this opportunity I have. Eventually, when I'm not part of a team who has that common goal of trying to win, that'll leave a hole in me as a person. So, I might try and fill it with coaching when I can't play anymore."

Egan, a proud Muthi Muthi/Gunditjmara woman, became the first Indigenous woman to coach across boys and girls NAB League footy with Calder Cannons, before taking on Vic Metro responsibilities this year.

"I’m proud to be selected as one of the NAB AFLW Academy assistant coaches this year and be a role model for other women and girls, and particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people," Egan said.

"Representation is so important, so to have three women involved in this year’s NAB AFL and AFLW Academy programs is a great step forward to ensuring the next generation of players learn from coaches of all backgrounds, knowledge, and experiences."

Eva is a well-established coach in her own right, currently working part-time as a development coach in the GWS men's program, and was awarded the 2019 AFLCA coaching pathway scholarship.

"I’m extremely passionate about coaching and the role it plays in developing the next generation of AFL and AFLW footballers," Eva said.

"It’s important that we continue to invest time and resources into coaching programs for females to ensure that women and girls are no strangers to coaching in the future."

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