Kyal Steps into WAFL Coaching CauldronThursday, April 11, 2024 - 12:53 PM

As a Premiership star with Subiaco Kyal Horsely’s playing career was highly successful, but his debut season as a senior WAFL coach is set to provide an entirely different set of challenges.

The 36-year-old, who was born in Kalgoorlie and played 14 games with the Gold Coast Suns, is best remembered for his role in a golden era for the Lions in the WAFL.

Horsely played 207 matches for Subiaco and was a Premiership captain in 2014,2015 and 2018.

Having enjoyed those highs in footy has set up Horsely for the transition to coaching.

“I’m sure it does in some ways, creating mental models with evidence on what you believe helps the individual and the team the most,” Horsely said.

“In saying that, the first thing that was taught to me when I arrived at the West Coast Eagles was people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Horsely has revealed there was a slice of fortune which opened the way for him to take over as coach at the Eagles.

“I was really fortunate to be in the right place at the right time,” he said.

“I’d been at the club for three years in a developing coaching role and I’d built strong relationships with both playing groups and staff, and I really cared for the people involved.

“So, when Rob Wiley retired at the end of last year, I thought it was an incredible opportunity to grow as a coach with a group I cared for, and with a support network that wanted the best for me and knew I wanted the best for them.

The Eagles have won three consecutive wooden spoons in the WAFL, enjoying just five wins and a draw from their last 56 matches.

The last time the Eagles won a WAFL match was against South Fremantle at Mineral Resources Park on a memorable night in the middle of 2022 where Nic Naitanui starred, but there are enough signs to suggest they will improve this year.

Despite a heavy defeat to South Fremantle last weekend, the side was competitive for long periods against Swans in the opening round of this season.

Horsely has several obstacles to overcome at the struggling club, but he’s confident the wheel is turning.

“One of the biggest challenges is managing my time,” he said.

“I had a lot of ideas and things I was hoping to implement but you soon realise that there isn’t enough time to execute them.

“What’s important is taking a step back and working out what will give the group the most value, prioritise them and let the others go, which I do struggle with.”

Implementing a game plan is also a work in progress.

“It’s a bit chicken and the egg,” said Horsely.

“Players understanding the game style and being connected, but you can only really do that by playing together consistently, which hasn’t been possible over the last few years with the constant changing of availability.

“But we’re really connected as a coaching group a with a lot of experience. 

“I was actually the only coach in our team who hadn’t coached a team before, so I rely heavily on the advice of all coaches, from the AFL line coaches (Jarrad Schofield, Matthew Knights, Luke Webster) to the other development coaches, (Jacob Brennan, Tom Morrison) and our Development Manager Steve Trewhella.

“It has been pretty surreal really, and it’s not lost on me that I get to work at West Coast every day.

“I pinch myself daily to make sure it’s not a dream that I have this opportunity.”