When West Coast’s recruiting team convenes in the coming weeks to intensify its Draft preparations, the club’s AFLW co-captain Bella Lewis will be at the forefront, playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of the rebuilding AFL team. Armed with informed opinions on the game’s top junior talent, the star midfielder will collaborate with list manager Matt Clarke, national recruiting manager Duane Massey, and the broader scouting team to strategize for the club’s valuable early picks.
On weekends, Lewis shines as a player and on-field leader while the Eagles’ AFLW team mounts a finals charge. Off the field, she has embraced a role within the club’s recruiting team, dedicating hours to live matches, analyzing game footage, and interviewing draft prospects and their families. This dual role has allowed her to bring a unique perspective to the department, breaking new ground for an active AFLW player.
Breaking New Ground in Recruitment
Since joining the recruiting team in May, the 22-year-old Lewis has impressed with her ability to learn quickly and contribute meaningfully. “Following these boys throughout the year and getting to know them has been really great. I’m loving it so far,” Lewis told AFL.com.au. Her involvement includes attending office days during the week, watching games in person on weekends, and reviewing footage of draft prospects.
Lewis’s journey into recruitment began when she approached the Eagles’ head of women’s football, Michelle Cowan, to explore an off-field role and enhance her 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 within men’s AFL programs.
Empowering Women in AFL
The program, launched in 2021, has expanded to include opportunities in football operations, list management, and recruiting. Successful applicants receive 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 explained.
With support from key figures like John Worsfold, West Coast’s head of football, Lewis successfully applied for the program. Her work in recruiting has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of team-building, having experienced West Coast’s AFLW build as a player after being recruited with pick No.3 in the 2020 National Draft.
Insights into Team Development
While the Eagles’ AFLW team has emerged as a young and exciting finals contender, the AFL team is coming off a challenging season and enters a crucial Draft with the first two selections. Learning about this stage of a team’s development has been one of the most rewarding aspects of Lewis’s experience in recruiting.
“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,” she said. Her insights into the cultural, coaching, and strength and conditioning aspects of team development have been invaluable.
Lewis’s role as a “connector” has been recognized by national recruiting scout Todd Nisbett, who has mentored her through her time in the department. “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 noted.
Looking Ahead to the Draft
As the Eagles prepare for the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft, Lewis faces the challenge of balancing her responsibilities as co-captain with her recruiting duties. If the Eagles’ season concludes before the Draft, she will join the recruiting team in Melbourne. Otherwise, she will contribute remotely to the build-up.
Looking ahead to a full year in the role in 2026, Lewis hopes to travel more to watch Draft prospects live and take on more challenging scouting tasks. However, the immediate focus remains on this year’s Draft. “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,” Lewis said.
“Even just thinking about the boys that you get to follow over the course of the year. They’re about to pursue their dreams, and you’ve kind of had a hand in that throughout the year. I just find that really exciting.”
As Lewis continues to bridge the gap between the AFLW and AFL programs, her contributions exemplify the potential for synergy across departments, paving the way for future collaborations within the sport.
