Media Release - League Coach Appointed

Media Release

League Coach Appointed

East Perth has appointed West Coast development coach Jaymie Graham as its league coach after Brian Dawson decided not to seek reappointment for the 2016 season.

Dawson has coached the league team to three consecutive seasons of finals action and will remain intimately involved at East Perth in the new position of Director of Coaching while maintaining his busy schedule as a full-time Professor in Exercise Physiology and Biochemistry at the School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health at the University of Western Australia.

Jaymie, a former Eagles player and St Kilda development coach, joined the West Coast coaching staff in 2014 after spending two years working under Scott Watters at St Kilda.

He played 37 matches with the Eagles across four seasons including 24 in 2006, although he missed out on playing in the premiership.

Highly regarded as a versatile big man, he continued to play beyond his retirement from the AFL at the end of 2008, but his career ended with a horrific leg injury while captaining South Fremantle in the WAFL in 2011.

Club president Bronte Howson paid tribute to both Jaymie and Brian.

“When we approached Brian in late 2012 we were looking to find somebody of the calibre of his predecessor, Tony Micale, and we certainly made the right selection,” said Mr Howson.

“Brian gave us a three year commitment and has honoured that. He has been fantastic for our club and has built a wonderful rapport with the playing squad. We are delighted that he is staying with the Club to continue to build the culture of the playing group,” he said.

“Jaymie Graham has worked across both the Eagles and East Perth squads in 2014 and 2015. He understands the successful balance involved in the Club’s partnership with West Coast and this is a great opportunity for him to take his coaching career to the next level.”

ENDS....