When the West Coast Eagles’ recruiting team convenes in the coming weeks to intensify their preparations for the AFL Draft, Bella Lewis, the club’s AFLW co-captain, will be at the forefront. The 22-year-old star midfielder, known for her on-field prowess, is now making waves off the field by contributing to the club’s strategic rebuilding efforts.
Armed with a keen eye for talent, Lewis joins list manager Matt Clarke and national recruiting manager Duane Massey in strategizing the club’s early draft picks. Her involvement marks a significant step for an active AFLW player, as she balances her role as a player with her burgeoning career in recruitment.
Bella Lewis: A Dual Role in Football
Lewis’s journey into recruitment began earlier this year when she approached Michelle Cowan, the Eagles’ head of women’s football, about exploring opportunities off the field. Her timing coincided with the opening of applications for the Women’s Coach Acceleration Program, aimed at fast-tracking female coaches and administrators within men’s AFL programs.
“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 role involves watching live matches, analyzing game footage, and interviewing draft prospects, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of the recruitment process.
Lewis’s unique perspective and dedication have been invaluable to the Eagles. “I’ve really enjoyed it, and the recruiting team have provided such a great space for me to learn and contribute as well,” she added.
Breaking New Ground in AFL Recruitment
The Women’s Coach Acceleration 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, a path Lewis is keenly pursuing.
“It’s about getting women into higher positions in men’s programs and having the experience to do that,” Lewis explained. Her involvement in the program represents a broader push within the AFL to integrate women’s insights and expertise into traditionally male-dominated roles.
National recruiting scout Todd Nisbett praised Lewis’s role as a “connector,” noting her ability to bridge gaps across departments. “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.
“I think she’s going to be pretty key to getting the programs even more aligned and a really important connector. That’s one of her strengths obviously as a co-captain and I think she can have a really big role in that.” — Todd Nisbett
The Road Ahead: Balancing Finals and Draft Preparations
As the Eagles’ AFLW team makes a strong push for the finals, Lewis juggles her dual responsibilities. If the Eagles’ season concludes before the draft, she will join the recruiting team in Melbourne to welcome the new draftees. Otherwise, she will contribute remotely, continuing her involvement in the build-up to the draft.
Looking ahead, Lewis envisions a full year in recruitment in 2026, with increased travel to watch draft prospects live and tackle more challenging scouting assignments. For now, her focus remains on the immediate challenge of 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. 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.” — Bella Lewis
Lewis’s journey is a testament to the evolving landscape of AFL, where the integration of women’s perspectives is not only welcomed but seen as essential to the future success of the sport. Her dual role exemplifies the potential for cross-departmental collaboration and the breaking down of traditional barriers within football.
