Horsley joins Eagles as assistant coach

Five time Subiaco premiership player Kyal Horsley has joined the West Coast Eagles as an assistant coach, bringing to an end his stellar playing career in the process.

The 33 year old played 207 games for the Lions, either side of two years and 14 games with the Gold Coast Suns in 2012-13 with his AFL dream ending early because of a serious knee injury.

Horsley skippered the Lions to premierships in 2014, 2015 and 2018, handing over the reins to Leigh Kitchin for the club's 2019 flag.

He also played in Subiaco's 2008 flag triumph over Swan Districts, playing in nine Grand Finals all up, also finishing runner up in the Sandover Medal on three occasions and winning the Lions best and fairest four times.

West Coast Eagles general manager of football Craig Vozzo said the club was pleased to secure Horsley's services.

"Clearly Kyal has great credentials as a player and worked extremely hard to get the best out of his personal career. He built a reputation as an outstanding leader, spending five years as captain of Subiaco," Vozzo said.

"Coming to our club having just announced his retirement as a player, he obviously has strong insights into the modern game.

"He comes from one of the best systems of all the state league competitions in Australia and impressed us with his knowledge of the game, his passion to coach and improve himself and others." 

West Coast are coming off a week one finals exit in 2020, having farewelled assistant coaches Daniel Pratt (AFLW) and Nathan Van Berlo (Adelaide) so far in the off-season.

IMAGE: AFL website.