West Coast Eagles secure former Fremantle high performance manager Phil Merriman to replace Mat Inness

West Coast have poached Fremantle’s high performance manager Phil Merriman, with the club announcing his hiring just days after he left the Dockers.

Merriman announced his departure from the Dockers after five seasons to “pursue a new professional opportunity” on Monday, with the Eagles landing his services after Mat Inness returned to Victoria for family reasons and joining Essendon.

The newest Eagles’ staff member said he was prepared to move interstate before the Eagles swooped on him.

“My family and I were planning to head interstate and then this golden opportunity came up to work with this group and this club. It was something that I just couldn’t pass up,” Merriman said.

“What excites me is the ability to work with a young and up-and-coming group who have clearly got a great athletic profile.

“Also, from the moment I met with Andrew McQualter, Gavin Bell, John Worsfold and Don Pyke there was great alignment from the top down. They’re the two big things that really strike me coming into the footy club.

“There has clearly been some great work done from Mat and that’s not to be underestimated. Having a good relationship with Mat and having similar philosophies, it’s a great entry into the club.

“Having a good understanding of what the players have been doing is a really good stepping stone to jump into it.”

West Coast football boss Gavin Bell said Merriman’s wealth of experience would help build on the platform Inness helped lay to get the Eagles out of their injury crisis from 2022.

“We are thrilled Phil has joined the West Coast Eagles at an important phase of our on-field development,” Bell said.

“Phil brings a wealth of AFL experience with a proven track record of working with young players to reach their physical potential and consistently compete at the highest level.

“His results leading an AFL high performance program made him an outstanding candidate amongst an impressive field of applicants.

“We look forward to welcoming Phil and his family to the West Coast Eagles as we prepare for an important pre-season.”