Find out who is coaching your club in 2026.
There were plenty of changes in the Airport Toyota senior women's coaching ranks through another busy off-season.
Check out our summary of who's coaching each club for season 2026 below.
Co-coaches: Ashleigh Gunn and Emily Smith
After taking over the reigns of senior co-coaches with Aberfeldie ahead of the 2025 season, Ashleigh Gunn and Emily Smith have had their reappointment announced at Clifton Park. The pair took on the position following two consecutive grand final losses, and have already made their mark in season 2025, claiming the minor premiership with a 14-2 record.
Coach: Marie Napoli
Women's footy is back at Airport West with Marie Napoli named as the senior coach. Napoli will lead the Eagles after a stint with Essendon Doutta Stars where she won the Division One Premiership and played finals in Premier Division. With significant EDFL and VFLW experience behind her, Napoli is perfectly suited to guide the Eagles after a year off.
Coach: Michael Davis
Returning to Tenterfield Drive again in 2026 is Burnside Heights coach Michael Davis. Next year will mark Davis’ third year as the head coach of the Bears and he’ll hope to cap it off one step further than the past two seasons. Davis has coached the side to consecutive grand final appearances, with neither going the Bears' way.
Coach: Alex O'Shea
Caroline Springs will enter Airport Toyota Premier Division in 2026. After fielding an EDFL Reserves side in 2025, the Lakers will add more quality to what's set to be a competitive top flight. Alex O'Shea will again lead the side after being named the 2025 WFNL Female Coach of the Year.
Coach: Gavan Wray-McCann
Back in Division Two following last season's relegation from Division One, Gavan Wray-McCann has been reappointed as the head coach of Coburg Districts, alongside assistant coach Sarah Theuma. It was a tough season 2025 for the Lions, with the side unable to pick up a win in its 12 matches. The 2024 Division Two premiers will enter 2026 full of confidence under its premiership coach, someone who knows that level of the competition well.
Coach: Johnny Albrecht
Senior women's footy is back at Craigieburn and so is Johnny Albrecht as coach. Albrecht coached the Eagles in their last season in 2019, and hopes the strong junior girls talent can remain at the club with a stable senior program.
Coach: Mark Hourigan
It’ll be season three for the East Sunbury women’s side, and season one for new head coach Mark Hourigan who has been appointed ahead of the 2026 season. A known figure in the Thunder community, Hourigan brings a wealth of coaching wisdom, with EDFL, VAFA, and interstate experience under his belt. It’s a big moment in this short history of the Thunder’s women’s side, who are still searching for that first ever win following lots of improvement in 2025.
Coach: Craig Rutley
Doutta royalty will lead the club into 2026 and beyond, with games-played record holder Craig Rutley being announced as the Stars’ new head coach. Rutley brings extensive football knowledge and experience into Nipper Jordan Oval, and will harness AFLW experience through playing-assistant Isabelle Porter and specialist assistant Tahlia Gillard.
Coach: Bernie Marantelli
The undefeated Gisborne will enter the Division One season full steam ahead under the leadership of their premiership coach, Bernie Marantelli. The Dogs last season recorded a perfect 14-0 regular-season record, going on to claim the silverware by 64 in the decider. Marantelli will lead the side solo after co-coaching last year's merged team with Phil Hawkes.
Coach: Troy Newton
Continuing on with the Jets at Section Road, Troy Newton will look to guide the green and black army through another season of Premier Division football in 2026. It was a tough year for the Jets last season, with the side only managing three wins in the top level following its 2024 premiership in Division One.
Coach: Chris Daley
The reigning premiers will return to defend their crown in 2026 under the leadership of Chris Daley. Daley is a highly decorated member in the Sharks community having been the senior coach of the men’s side in 2024 and an integral part of the women’s coaching panel last season. Daley has also been part of the coaching picture at various other EDFL clubs, winning three premierships in four years at Airport West’s men’s reserves, and is looking to make a positive statement at Shark Park next year.
Coach: Giovanni Castello
Leading the Blues back onto the field is Giovanni Castello, a much loved member of the Keilor Football Club community. With a passion and specialty for women’s football, Castello has already tasted sweet success at Joe Brown Oval, coaching the club’s Under 18.5 women’s side to a premiership in 2023. Castello took on the senior coaching role ahead of the 2025 season in which the Blues finished fifth, just missing out on a return to the finals series.
Coach: Marcus Barclay
After the Devils reached a preliminary final in 2025, Marcus Barclay will return for the second season of his coaching stint at the club. With a decorated footballing resume, Barclay is a member of the exclusive 350-game club at Keilor Park, and a 2023 premiership coach for Airport West’s women’s side.
Co-coaches: Cain Liddle and Gabby Mahoney
Joining the Lions who’ll maintain their Premier Division spot in 2026 is Cain Liddle who’ll lead alongside Gabby Mahoney as co-coaches. The former CEO of the Carlton Football Club, Liddle brings lots of experience into Marby from time with the Blues’ AFLW side. Mahoney has it all when it comes to on-field experience, with 250 games and 200 goals to her name, including time at Box Hill's VFLW side.
Merrifield has signalled its intention to field a senior women's side in 2026 which would be another step in the rapid growth of the club. No coach has been publicly announced as yet.
Coach: Rhiannon Busch
Continuing on with the Fog as head coach in 2026 is Rhiannon Busch. With footballing experience crossing all over the country, Busch has racked up 247 games and 56 goals in her career. Busch has spent a lot of time playing with the Tiwi Bombers in the NTFL during the territory’s football season, while also gaining VFLW experience with Collingwood.
Co-coaches: Lessey Hodgkinson and Nicolas Cook
Seeking redemption and a third flag in four years alongside the whole Oak Park camp, Lessey Hodgkinson and Nicolas Cook will again be the co-coaches for Oak Park in 2026. The duo led one of the teams to beat last season, with the Roos completing 2025 second on the ladder with a 14-2 record, making it all the way to the decider at Windy Hill.
Pascoe Vale has advertised for a senior women's coach, with no announcement made as yet.
Coach: Kaine Hocking
A familiar face to all those in the black and white camp, Kaine Hocking has stepped up to lead the Magpies in 2026. With experience spanning reserves coach and senior assistant coach at Roxy, Hocking also brings in the coaching knowledge that he used to lead Coburg Districts to a men’s reserves premiership. With experience and passion for strengthening his players, Hocking is looking to build an even stronger team culture at Lakeside Drive in 2026 and beyond.
Coach: Shaun Bannister
Named the Coach of the Year for Airport Toyota Division One last season, Shaun Bannister will continue on as Strathmore's head coach in 2026 after the side's thrilling Division One premiership win in 2025. It’ll be Bannister’s second year in the role as the club looks to continue their success up in the top flight next year, having previously coached the Under 18.5s.
Coach: Carly Blythe
Following another finals campaign leading to a preliminary final appearance in season 2025, the Sunbury Kangaroos have announced that Carly Blythe will continue on as head coach of the club. In her first season in the role, Blythe led the Roos to a third-place ladder finish with a 7-7 record, including two big wins over grand finalist Taylors Lakes.
Coach: Jaimee-Lee Wilson
Sunbury Lions legend Jaimee-Lee Wilson was announced as the senior coach in November. Wilson brings plenty of playing and coaching experience to the role, playing over 250 games and being senior co-coach in 2023 and an Under 14s coach in 2024 and 2025.
Coach: Joseph Antonetti
Returning to Lionheart Reserve in 2026 is Taylors Lakes coach Joseph Antonetti, someone who has extensive coaching experience in the EDFL landscape. Antonetti has spent time dedicating his career to women’s football, and has been involved in the coaching of Sunbury Kangaroos, Hadfield, and West Coburg. In 2025 Antonetti led the side to its maiden finals series, reaching as far as the premiership decider.
Coach: Corey Dennehy
Corey Dennehy will continue as Tullamarine coach after stepping up during the 2025 season. The Dees will be looking for an improved 2026 season, and a full pre-season and season outlook under Dennehy will serve them well.
Coach: Gemma Wright
A captain-coach for Westmeadows, Gemma Wright will again carry this honour onto Willowbrook Reserve and beyond in 2026. Wright won the league best and fairest and was named in the EDFL’s Airport Toyota Division One Team of the Year last season. Wright's credentials need no introduction, as she looks to lead the Tigers to another strong season.
