The West Coast Eagles have officially announced the appointment of Phil Merriman as the new High Performance Manager for their AFL program. Merriman, a seasoned professional within the AFL industry, brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles at Fremantle, Melbourne, and Hawthorn. This strategic move comes as the Eagles aim to enhance their on-field development and performance.
Phil Merriman’s extensive experience and proven track record in developing young players to reach their peak physical potential were key factors in his selection. “We are thrilled Phil has joined the West Coast Eagles at an important phase of our on-field development,” stated Gavin Bell, General Manager of Football for the Eagles. “His results leading an AFL high performance program made him an outstanding candidate amongst an impressive field of applicants.”
Background and Experience
Merriman began his career in the AFL industry in 2011 with the Hawthorn Football Club. Over the years, he has been mentored by renowned high performance leaders such as Darren Burgess, Andrew Russell, and John Quinn. His academic credentials include a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science from Edith Cowan University and a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Sports Science from Deakin University.
His tenure at Fremantle over the past five seasons has been marked by significant achievements, particularly in nurturing young talent. Merriman’s approach aligns closely with the Eagles’ vision, as noted by Bell: “Phil’s expertise will help us build on the excellent platform Mat Inness established for our players over the past two years before he returned to Melbourne for family reasons.”
Merriman’s Vision for the Eagles
Phil Merriman expressed his enthusiasm for joining the Eagles, highlighting the opportunity to work with a promising group of young athletes. “My family and I were planning to head interstate and then this golden opportunity came up to work with this group and this Club. It was something that I just couldn’t pass up,” Merriman remarked.
He emphasized the alignment and shared vision within the club’s leadership, which includes figures like Andrew McQualter, Gavin Bell, John Worsfold, and Don Pyke. “There was great alignment from the top down. They’re the two big things that really strike me coming into the footy Club,” he added.
“What excites me is the ability to work with a young and up-and-coming group who have clearly got a great athletic profile.”
Merriman also acknowledged the groundwork laid by his predecessor, Mat Inness, and expressed confidence in building upon that foundation. “Having a good relationship with Mat and having similar philosophies, it’s a great entry into the Club,” he noted.
Looking Ahead
Merriman is set to begin familiarizing himself with the Eagles’ high performance program next week, officially commencing his role on November 1. The timing is critical as the club’s first-to-four-year players are scheduled to return to training on November 10, marking the start of an important pre-season phase.
The appointment of Phil Merriman signals a forward-looking approach for the West Coast Eagles, as they aim to leverage his expertise to foster a new era of athletic excellence. The club and its supporters eagerly anticipate the impact of his leadership on the team’s performance in the upcoming seasons.
