Fremantle’s AFLW coach hunt enters final days with Martene Pearman and Lisa Webb linked to position

As revealed by CODE sports, former player and assistant Lisa Webb remains in contention. It is understood Webb, who was targeted by Fremantle to take part in their process, is set to be interviewed one final time by the club’s selection panel in the next two days.

Should she claim the job, Webb would become the second former AFLW player to graduate to the role of senior coach, following in the footsteps of Port Adelaide’s Lauren Arnell.

CODE Sports also understands that revered WA football figure Martene Pearman has been linked to the role. Pearman is already well known at the Dockers, serving as an assistant coach during the first two AFLW seasons.

The former Coastal Titans coach also mentored several current Fremantle players on their journey to the AFLW, including midfield star Kiara Bowers. Pearman was an assistant coach at Melbourne during a series of AFLW exhibition games and she has led WA state open teams and also been crowned the Subiaco District Coach of the Year.

More recently, Pearman has worked in Subiaco’s men’s program under WAFL premiership coach Jarrad Schofield and his equally successful successor Beau Wardman.

Pearman is just the second female coach to serve in the state league. It is expected the successful applicant will be revealed in the coming days and follow in the footsteps of inaugural Dockers coach Michelle Cowan, who was the first female WAFL coach.

Fremantle had hoped to appoint a female successor to sacked coach Trent Cooper as the playing group attempt to bounce back from a three-win season.