John Worsfold’s lasting football legacy has been recognised by the AFL Coaches Association, with the West Coast Eagles icon honoured with the 2024 Neale Daniher Lifetime Achievement Award.
One of the most revered football personalities to emerge from Western Australia, ‘Woosha’ helped guide West Coast from a fledgling club into a powerhouse in the national competition.
An inaugural Eagle in 1987, he was Club Champion the following year and famously led the club to the first flag by a non-Victorian team in 1992, before also captaining the ’94 triumph.
“As a young player growing up in Western Australia he played to be the best,” premiership coach Mick Malthouse said.
“My first interaction with John Worsfold in 1990 – I took over the West Coast Eagles coaching role - he was appointed our club captain in 1991 as a very young player … and he never let me down.”
Worsfold stands alone as the only man to play and coach the Eagles to premierships, after guiding the club’s third flag in 2006 from the coaches box - eight years after retiring from a 209-game career.
“Everything he stood for and represented as a player he brought back as a coach,” 2006 premiership player Ben Cousins said.
“Almost from the moment John was appointed it shifted and changed the optimism and outlook that players and supporters had of where the footy club was at.
“John, I think it’s fantastic that you’re able to be recognised in this way. I really admire you, I look up to you, I’ve loved every minute that I spent playing under you, or for you.
“The impact on me has been immeasurable. Congratulations for being recognised in this way, it is very much fitting for you and the contribution you have made to our great game.”
Worsfold credited the likes of inaugural West Coast coach Ron Alexander, successor John Todd, Malthouse and Carlton’s David Parkin – where he was an assistant for two seasons - for influencing his coaching journey.
“Definitely a lot of those guys and then obviously working with ‘Parko’ for a short period of time rounded it out, seeing a big Melbourne club and the different culture and how they operated things gave me a good grounding,” Worsfold said.
Worsfold’s impact extended well beyond WA and the Eagles, with the fabled leader becoming Adelaide caretaker coaching director following Phil Walsh’s passing, before taking the reins at Essendon as senior coach for five seasons from 2016-2020.
Twice named the Allan Jeans Senior Coach of the Year (2006 and ’11), and an inductee into the WA Football and West Coast halls of fame, Worsfold’s name also adorns the Eagles’ Club Champion award.
“I just hope, John, you appreciate what you’ve done for football clubs, for people, for supporters, for your teammates,” Malthouse said.
“You are thoroughly deserving and congratulations.”
