West Coast AFLW coach Michael Prior has resigned, effective immediately, after comments made about the competition's fixturing.
Reports suggest the former Essendon player was pushed to stand down by the Eagles after courting controversy about West Coast's 2023 AFLW schedule.
Prior had claimed the Eagles' draw was unfavourable, with the Eagles sitting second-last on the AFLW at the time.
Prior himself released a statement via the Eagles which explained he was going to resign at the end of the season regardless.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the role as senior coach of this amazing group," Prior said.
"There is exciting upside for these players moving forward, but after three seasons I believe it is time for a new voice.
"I made the decision earlier in the season that this would be my last as senior coach and I believe the time is right to now step aside. I’ll leave on a high after being a part of an exciting win at Windy Hill on Sunday.
"I would like to thank the players and staff for their support over the last three seasons and I look forward to seeing their continued growth."
Prior will still be employed by West Coast via a role in Community and Game Development.
Michael Prior's controversial comments on AFLW fixturing
"That's a team that won the Grand Final last year against a team that finished [third] last," Prior said.
"Eighteen teams in the comp and only ten games, how we play that team is beyond me. That's what you get when you get fixturing like that.
"The side that won it is playing the side that came last. I just don't understand that part of it and we need to look at it."
West Coast is set to play two more Season 7 finalists in the remaining three rounds: Adelaide (1st) and the Western Bulldogs (18th).
The Eagles currently sit in 17th, with just one win in seven appearances.
"We've got a lot of work to do, we're miles away from where we want to be," Prior admitted.
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Is Michael Prior right about the AFLW fixture?
Much like its AFL counterpart, the AFLW fixture is somewhat determined based on each club's finish position in the previous season.
However, unlike the men's competition, the women's football calendar doesn't feature double-up games. In fact, many teams won't meet at all during the ten-round season.
It means that Prior's complaints, justified or not, are a very real part of the AFLW reality. Teams are at the mercy of the home-and-away schedule.
While it's clear that the Eagles are a distance from the league's best, their draw has been relatively kind based on last year's form.
West Coast drew three Season 7 finalists this season, while Yartapuulti, a club that finished a position lower last season, drew four.
One of the Eagles' finals-experienced foes, the Western Bulldogs, haven't won a game this year.
In the 2022-2023 season, Essendon, Hawthorn, Yartapuulti, and Sydney joined the AFLW to complete the 18-club division, which has caused some imbalance in the competition. That is to be expected.
Thankfully, a fixture tweak is on the way.
AFL Women's players get fixture wish
In September, the AFL and AFL Players Association signed a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that raised players' wages and promised to extend the women's season.
Two additional rounds are set to be added to the AFLW fixture by 2025, with further potential for a 14-game season by 2027.
It's an important step for the competition's players, who have long called for an extended season.
The CBA also sees a 77 per cent wage increase for AFLW players over its five-year duration.
Michael Prior statement: Eagles coach on post-game comments
Prior has since made a statement addressing his post-game comments following West Coast's heavy loss to the Demons which caused a stir in the AFLW.
"I would like to acknowledge my comments regarding the AFLW fixturing were unacceptable after our game," Prior said.
"It was a disappointing performance, and I was frustrated but that does not excuse my comments and they do not reflect the club’s position. I take full responsibility.
"Narrm are the benchmark in AFLW and credit to them for the way they played."
Prior concluded by pointing out how the Eagles side was one of the youngest in the competition and still had plenty of work left to do to improve as they head into their final three matches of the season.
"I can assure West Coast members and supporters that our players, coaches and staff are working incredibly hard behind the scenes to fast-track our growth and drive the elite standards that will take our group to the next level," the coach stated.
"We need to close the gap to the best teams and our first half against the Demons was indicative of the pressure and effort we need to bring against the elite sides.
"Every opportunity to compete against the best teams is an opportunity to learn and get better and that is what we will be aiming to do."
