There has been plenty of movement around the coaching and playing ranks this off-season in the EDFL Women's competitions.
EDFL Media's Tara Murray has all the latest news and updates on where your team is at heading into the pre-season.
A familiar face in Glenn Walsh takes on the coaching role this season. Walsh was part of the Abers program from the start, but stepped back from coaching in 2021. He’s back this season and taking on the head coaching role. Dave Toy joins the team as their strength and conditioning coach. In a bonus for Abers, who won one game last season, premiership players Amber Wescombe and Ellie Huggard are back having been involved with VFLW the last couple of years.
Former Eagles player Marcus Barclay has been appointed the women’s coach for this season. Having played more than 350 senior games in the EDFL, Barclay has since established himself in the coaching ranks. He was set to coach Keilor Park’s women’s side in 2020 his first foray into coaching women’s football, but the season was cancelled due to COVID-19. The club on its social media announced the signings of Ashleigh Drews from Aberfeldie, while Lily Saunders, who previously played at Pascoe Vale, is hoping to return to the field after a knee injury ruined 2021.
Burnside Heights is sticking with the same coaching panel as last season. Jeff Stevens, will again coach the club’s top side, while Brooke McKinley will coach the second team again. The Bears have also locked in key players, Kayla Ravenello, Ebony Stevens, Krissy Trang and Sina Mason.
After finally breaking through for its first ever win and being on track for a maiden finals appearance, it’s no surprise that Coburg Districts are sticking with the same coach. Ron McGill will be hoping to continue the momentum and development this season.
Essendon Doutta Stars announced the appointment of Damian Bellino as senior coach for the 2022 season last week. Craig Rutley, who coached the side last year, has been appointed the club’s under-16 girls coach.
Gisborne was an unknown heading into 2021 crossing from the AFL Goldfields competition, but showed it was one of the stronger teams in division 1. With Jason Peak still on board as coach, expect the side to continue to develop. Claire Bourdon, who finished top three in the league best and fairest, Amanda Crooks and Olivia Peterson have all re-signed.
With a focus on development in 2021, the Jets would have been more than happy with the growth the side showed. Troy Newton is back on board as coach and expect the side to be among the mix again this year.
New coach Rob Davis is relishing the opportunity to coach the Sharks, who were one of the pace setters in 2021. Davis has previously coached the club’s under-16 and under-18s, but this is his first time coaching women’s football. He told Star Weekly he was keen to help the side get to the next level.
Keilor has turned to former player Brooke Surgeon to replace premiership coach Shannon McFerran. Surgeon has an extensive playing and coaching background, having been an assistant coach in the NAB League. Surgeon said she was keen for the side to continue to drive the standard in the competition and be a stepping stone to higher competitions. The club is also keen to get an under-18.5 team up and going again.
Maribyrnong Park will have a new coaching set up as it aims to build on last season. Phil Poursanidis, who coached the club’s under-18 girls last season, has been appointed head coach. He’ll oversee the premier division side on game day and Amelia Beardmore will coach the division 2 side on game day.
It doesn’t get much better than winning two premierships in one season for Moonee Valley. The club is set to field two women’s sides again. Paul Edwards, who coached the division 1 side, returns as head of football. Brad Sammut will transition from assistant coach to head coach. The Fog will have a new seconds coach, with Dean Rioli stepping into a different role at the club.
Oak Park was just starting to hit its straps in 2021 when the season was called off. The team hasn’t rested on their laurels, already announcing a number of signings and re-signings. Leesey Hodgkinson and Nicolas Cook will be co-coaches again and the club is looking to field reserves and under-18s. Marnie Jarvis, Samanatha German, Ash Atkins, Meghan Patrick and Mikayla Barnes are among the re-signings.
Grant Ogston has been reappointed as the Panthers coach for this season. It will be his second full season in charge, having been an assistant coach in 2019. Captain Renae Barry has also re-signed with the club inviting any prospective under-18.5 and women’s players to come down to training.
Strathmore will seek to continue the momentum from 2021 with the same coaching panel this year. Bernadette Marantelli has been reappointed senior coach, with Brad Tregar as her assistant. The Mores were one of the most improved teams in 2021 with 10 wins from their 11 games. On the club’s Facebook, it declared Marantelli has labeled 2022 as ‘unfinished business’.
After a tough 2021, the Kangaroos are in a lot better position than this time last year. Ron Sikora is back on board for a second year and will look to continue the development. The club has announced a number of player re-signings, headed by captain Harmoni Chivell. The club has also picked up some younger players stepping up into seniors and a couple of experienced heads.
Daniel Brady will coach the side for a second straight season. The club exceeded all expectations and were more than competitive once they were moved up into division 2. Star Weekly newspapers have reported that Calder Cannons co-captain Reese Sutton will again call the Lions home after spending time at Aberfeldie last season.
Peter Labbard will continue on as coach this season, while the club also has one eye on the future. Labbard has coached the side the last two years, and has brought together a close group despite the results. Emily Angelidis has been named a playing assistant coach, with the plan for her to take over as head coach in 2023.
Wayne Spicer is another returning coach this season. Spicer had the side primed for a finals appearance when the season ended. He will be assisted by Kevin Allan, with Gemma Wright, who coached the second side last year, also an assistant coach. Her sister, Sarah Wright will be a strength and conditioning coach. Senior player Natalie Linton will coach the club’s second side, with another player Kate Sellers to coach the under-18 girls. The club has also announced a number of player re-signings.
