In September 2021, it was announced that Michael Prior would take over as head coach from Daniel Pratt, as Pratt's partner was scheduled to give birth early 2022, and they didn't want him to do any quarantine that could occur in the AFLW.[2]
Emma Swanson was captain for a third season, and Dana Hooker was vice-captain for a third season. Parris Laurie was part of the leadership group for a second season, joined by Aisling McCarthy, who joined the leadership group for the first time. These positions were decided by a vote between the players.[3]
In May 2021, the AFL commission approved giving five AFLW clubs, including West Coast, various assistance measures to help strengthen their playing list. West Coast received priority draft picks in the second and third rounds of the 2021 draft, directly after the fifth selection in those rounds. The priority picks were given under the condition that West Coast's first five draft picks were not traded to another club.[5] During the 2021 trade period, West Coast made one trade, with Fremantle. The Eagles received Fremantle player Evangeline Gooch in exchange for draft pick 38.[6] West Coast also signed Aimee Schmidt as a restricted free agent, having grown up in Western Australia before playing for Greater Western Sydney for five years.[7][8]