The Geelong Cats have finalised their AFLW coaching panel for the upcoming season, with Elise Coventry stepping into an assistant role and Paul Chambers joining as ruck/talls coach under senior coach Dan Lowther.
Coventry, a former player and member of Geelong’s inaugural AFLW squad, has progressed through the ranks after two seasons as a development coach and will be responsible for the backline.
The news follows a big 12 months for Coventry, who is currently undertaking the BHP Women's Coaching Academy program and has also been named as Geelong’s VFLW Senior Coach.
Chambers, a former AFL player at both Geelong and Sydney, joins the coaching panel as ruck/talls coach.
Previous Cats VFLW Senior Coach Andrew Bruce has taken on a new role as a Development Coach in the AFLW program after two successful seasons in the state league.
Dan Lowther has returned as AFLW Senior Coach, becoming full-time with the Cats last month. Lowther initially joined the AFLW coaching group as assistant coach in 2021 and will be supported by familiar faces in the coaches box in season 7.
Josh Finch and Aaron Black also return as assistant coaches - Finch will coach the midfield group again, while Black will again look after the forwards - while David Morgan will continue as a development coach.
Geelong Head of AFLW and Football Pathways Brett Johnson said he was excited with the level of football expertise across the program.
“Elise has such a passion to help young players and she will be working closely with Dan Lowther help our team take the next logical step with game style in Season 7,” Johnson said.
“Our Club is committed to playing a role in developing committed female coaches in the AFLW competition and we couldn’t be prouder to see Elise thrive in this space.
“Paul brings a wealth of experience to our program. He knows our Club, having spent so much of his life playing and working here, and also knows what it takes to perform at an elite level.
"Andrew has done an incredible job as our VFLW coach the past two seasons, leading our team to finals on both occasions, and we've been impressed with what he has brought into his new role as a development coach with our AFLW program.
“We’ve got four players on our list now who have come through our VFLW program under Andrew, with Claudia Gunjaca, Olivia Fuller, Annabel Johnson and Mia Skinner all excelling in the program, while there are now several players across the AFLW who have had Andrew as their coach over the past couple of years.
“Additionally, having Dan, Josh, Aaron and now Andrew commit to the program for Season 7, confirms we have great personnel coaching our team to ensure our players reach their full potential.
“The level of experience each individual brings to the group will only enhance the professional program we provide at Geelong, and we can’t wait to get started.”
Geelong will kickstart its Season 7 campaign on Sunday, 28 August at GMHBA Stadium against Richmond.
