Amidst the search for their seventh senior coach, the West Coast Eagles have announced a selection panel to determine the club's choice ahead of the 2025 AFL season.
The panel includes CEO Don Pyke, Football General Manager Gavin Bell, Football Affairs Director Rowan Jones, Director Jan Cooper, as well as All-Australian Geelong champion Harry Taylor.
The dual-premiership defender has been consulting in a performance leadership role at West Coast, and his admission to the selection panel will provide "experience and expertise" to the decision-making.
The former Cat played 280 games throughout a 13-year AFL career, forged through courageous defensive efforts and negating opposition forwards.
The announcement of the selection panel comes less than a month after premiership coach Adam Simpson mutually parted ways with the Eagles following multiple seasons of poor on-field performance.
West Coast noted that the club had spent "significant time" deciding the exact competencies and skills desired for the club's next senior coach. With the completion of that process, the Eagles will move to creating a shortlist of candidates for the coaching role.
Although the Eagles did not announce a timeline, the club stated they anticipate to determine the next senior coach during September.
Jarrad Schofield has taken over as interim coach for the remainder of the season, however is not expected to retain the senior coaching gig. Former Eagle and current Swans assistant coach Dean Cox has been ruled out of applying for the role after he announced through a club statement he would remain in New South Wales for the foreseeable future.
Another former premiership Eagle, Ashley Hansen, has been mentioned for taking the reins at West Coast. Hansen is currently a senior assistant at Carlton, and has previously been an assistant coach at the Bulldogs during their 2016 premiership season.
Jaymie Graham is another potential suiter, having filled in as senior coach for one game during the 2018 season at West Coast. Graham is currently the forward line coach at Fremantle, but said he would "definitely take the call" for the Eagles job.
Since Simpson's departure, the Eagles have lost their following three matches to Brisbane, St Kilda and Fremantle. They host Gold Coast on Friday night at 8:30PM (AEST) in a bid to win their fourth game this season.