The Western Bulldogs have finalised their AFLW coaching team for 2020.
Six fresh faces will feature in a new-look panel, headlined by first-year senior coach Nathan Burke.
Former AFL footballers Jamie Shanahan (St Kilda and Melbourne) and Jack Fitzpatrick (Melbourne and Hawthorn) have been appointed to assistant coaching positions, while Jaryd Cachia (Carlton) makes the transition to an AFLW development coach role after being involved with the Bulldogs’ VFLW side in 2019.
Shanahan has previously held coaching roles at state league and local level, while Fitzpatrick was an assistant coach at VFL level with Werribee in 2019.
Joining Cachia as a development coach is Claire Heffernan, who coached Aberfeldie’s senior women’s side to the Essendon District Football League premiership this year, and has a wealth of experience in women’s football as a player and coach.
As announced last month, former AFL captain Bob Murphy will take on the role of leadership and environment coach.
Dave Bartlett and Andrew Shakespeare will continue in their respective roles as assistant coach and skill acquisition coach.
General Manager of Women’s Football, Debbie Lee, said the Club was thrilled with the coaches it had acquired.
“It’s pleasing to welcome a number of new coaches to our Club, and we believe we have assembled a great coaching team to drive us forward,” Lee said.
“There’s no doubt this group is highly experienced and has a great understanding of the game.
“What was important to us in assembling our panel for 2020 was ensuring we had a diverse group of personalities, and people with different experiences in football and life, which we believe will be of great benefit to our players.
“We’re looking forward to what Nathan and his team of coaches can achieve with the players this year.”
Western Bulldogs AFLW 2020 coaching team
- Nathan Burke – Head Coach
- Dave Bartlett – Assistant Coach
- Jack Fitzpatrick – Assistant Coach
- Jamie Shanahan – Assistant Coach
- Bob Murphy – Leadership and Environment Coach
- Andrew Shakespeare – Skill Acquisition Coach
- Jaryd Cachia – Development Coach
- Claire Heffernan – Development Coach