Retiring Geelong veteran Mitch Duncan is reportedly set to link up with West Coast from 2026 as part of Andrew McQualter's coaching staff.
Duncan, who is set to see his decorated 16-year stint at Kardinia Park come to an end amid the Cats' push for a premiership, has announced he will hang up the boots at the cessation of his club's campaign.
The 34-year-old has played nine games under Chris Scott this year, surpassing the 300-game mark in the blue and white hoops.
His most recent outing came in Round 17, with Duncan only an outside chance to play in Geelong's upcoming home preliminary final unless there is a forced change at selection, meaning Duncan may have played his final game for the Cats already.
The two-time premiership player is believed to already be planning his next career move, with a return home to Western Australia expected as he eyes an assistant coaching role at the Eagles.
According to 9 News Perth's Paddy Sweeney, Duncan is tipped to add to McQualter's coaching cohort from next year, with the Eagles needing to fill a number of vacancies.
Assistants Jarrad Schofield (Subiaco) and Luke Webster (Port Adelaide) have already left West Coast since the cessation of their one-win season.
Mitch Duncan is expected to accept an assistant coaching role at @WestCoastEagles
The Eagles offered the option of playing next year, but the dual premiership @GeelongCats opted against.@9NewsPerth @FootyonNine
— Paddy Sweeney (@SweeneyPaddy9) September 8, 2025
Duncan will join a young coaching team spearheaded by 39-year-old McQualter, who has Maco Bello, Luke Shuey and Shannon Hurn, among others, in his group.
The addition of Duncan will see an emerging Eagles side add premiership experience in an off-field role, with West Coast revealed to have offered Duncan a playing contract, which he declined in favour of a coaching role.
Duncan was drafted out of Perth in 2009 and debuted for Geelong the following year, with the clean-kicking midfielder going on to play a role in the club's 2011 premiership side.
The 305-gamer doubled his flag tally in 2022 after a 22-game season - his 11th season of at least 20 matches.
