When the West Coast Eagles’ recruiting team convenes in the coming weeks to intensify their preparations for the AFL Draft, AFLW co-captain Bella Lewis will be at the helm, playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of the club’s men’s team. Armed with keen insights into the game’s emerging talent, the 22-year-old midfielder will join list manager Matt Clarke, national recruiting manager Duane Massey, and the scouting team to strategize on the club’s coveted early picks.
Lewis, a standout player and leader on the field as the Eagles’ AFLW team makes a push for the finals, has also been carving out a role off the field. Since May, she has been part of the club’s recruiting team, dedicating hours to watching live matches, analyzing game footage, and interviewing draft prospects and their families. Her involvement marks a groundbreaking move for an active AFLW player, and the Eagles have praised the unique perspective she brings.
“Following these boys throughout the year and getting to know them has been really great. I’m loving it so far,” Lewis shared with AFL.com.au. Her journey began with learning the ropes of recruitment, progressing to watching games from various levels and understanding the intricacies of team lists in the AFL.
A Unique Pathway in Football
Lewis, who is also pursuing a degree in psychological behavioral science, approached Michelle Cowan, the Eagles’ head of women’s football, earlier this year to explore off-field roles and gain work experience. Her timing coincided with the opening of applications for the Women’s Coach Acceleration Program, designed to fast-track the development of female coaches and professionals within men’s AFL programs.
The program, launched in 2021, has expanded to include opportunities in football operations, list management, and recruiting, offering formal mentoring and structured learning over two years. “It’s about getting women into higher positions in men’s programs and having the experience to do that, like Daisy (Pearce) did for coaching when she went to Geelong,” Lewis noted.
With support from the Eagles’ head of football, John Worsfold, Lewis applied and smoothly transitioned into her role. Her experience in recruiting has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of team-building, a process she has witnessed firsthand as a player during West Coast’s AFLW build.
Building Bridges Across Programs
As the Eagles’ AFLW team emerges as a young, exciting finals contender, the men’s team is navigating a critical draft with the first two selections in the pool. Learning about this developmental phase has been one of the most rewarding aspects of Lewis’s recruiting experience.
“I find great interest in where people think that success comes from and what they think is most important in the rebuilding stage we are in,” Lewis explained. Her dual perspective allows her to bring insights from the women’s program into the men’s and vice versa, fostering connections across departments.
National recruiting scout Todd Nisbett has observed Lewis’s role as a “connector,” mentoring her through her time in the department and noting her ability to bridge different parts of the club. “She’s happy to go to anyone and just pick their brain, and she’s got the respect from everyone that she can do that as well,” Nisbett said.
Looking Ahead to the Draft
While recruiters typically track players years in advance, Lewis joined the recruiting team in the final push before the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft, set for November 19-20. Despite the compressed timeline, she has impressed with her ability to quickly grasp the finer details of this year’s prospects and confidently share her opinions during team meetings.
“She knows it fully, and that’s probably the thing that I was impressed with most, just that confidence to back herself in,” Nisbett remarked. Her workload has increased since being named co-captain, yet she has managed to balance her responsibilities effectively.
As Lewis juggles her leadership role in the AFLW finals campaign with draft preparations, she remains focused on the immediate challenges. If the Eagles’ season concludes before the draft, she will join the recruiting team in Melbourne to welcome the new draftees. Otherwise, she will continue to contribute remotely.
Looking to 2026, Lewis hopes to expand her role, traveling more to watch draft prospects live and tackling more challenging scouting assignments. “This is probably the calm before the storm I think, just because you’re kind of wrapping everything up in terms of where things sit in the draft order,” she said. Her excitement about influencing the futures of young players is palpable, as she reflects on her role in helping them pursue their dreams.
