Meet the coaches (left to right): Elise Coventry, Josh Finch, Dan Lowther, Aaron Black, Jess Foley and David Morgan. Photo: Arj Giese

Geelong has finalised its coaching structure ahead of the 2022 AFLW season.

Dan Lowther was appointed AFLW senior coach in June, replacing the club’s inaugural coach Paul Hood after the latter stepped away from the role. Lowther had joined the Geelong AFLW coaching group as assistant coach in 2021, working with the midfield group under Hood’s leadership. 

A former Geelong midfielder, Lowther played 34 AFL games for the club from 1996-2001.

Lowther will be supported by familiar faces in the coaches box in season 2022.

Jess Foley will step into an assistant coaching role after joining Geelong’s AFLW program as a ruck coach in 2021. A former Adelaide Crows ruck, Foley will lead the Geelong defenders.

Foley had a number of roles across 2021, including being the VFL Men’s team doctor, and also returned to the field for three games in Geelong’s VFLW team this year.

Josh Finch and Aaron Black return as assistant coaches. Finch will coach the midfield group after working with the defenders in 2021, and Black will again look after the forwards.

Elise Coventry returns as a development coach in 2022. Former player and member of Geelong’s inaugural AFLW squad, Coventry played 30 VFLW games for the club before an ACL injury dashed her AFLW dream.

Coventry joined the Cats’ coaching staff for the 2021 season, playing an active role until the birth of her first child, Angus, in April.

David Morgan rounds out the coaching group; he will continue as a development/bench coach.

Assistant coaches: Aaron Black (forwards), Jess Foley (defenders) and Josh Finch (midfielders).

“This coaching group will look familiar to a lot of people; it’s been a matter of those internally taking on new roles, which is exciting,” Geelong’s head of AFLW Brett Johnson said.

“We have seen a number of coaches step up, with Dan Lowther now leading the group and Jess Foley stepping into an assistant coaching role.

“Jess has made a fantastic contribution in a range of areas over her first year at the club, and we are pleased to see her recognised. Jess is already leading our defenders super well, and we’re looking forward to seeing her develop as a line coach.”

Geelong 2022 AFLW Coaches

Senior Coach: Dan Lowther
Assistant coach - midfield: Josh Finch
Assistant coach - forwards: Aaron Black
Assistant coach - defence: Jess Foley
Development coach: Elise Coventry
Bench coach: David Morgan