Geelong have announced their new coach for the 2025 VFLW season, with Taylah Hassett set to take the reigns heading into the new year.
With a great footballing background both as a player and coach, Hassett has extensive experience that will help her shape the Cats program next season.
Hassett discussed her footballing journey, when she joined Cats Media ahead of the VFLW's opening week of pre-season.
"I started playing footy at 15 years old in Colac, where I grew up," Hassett said.
"We started a women's side and my playing journey started there.
"I had an opportunity to play at the Geelong Falcons and make my way through their program. Then I landed at Grovedale a couple of years ago, that is where my coaching journey commenced.
"I have had the opportunity to coach at the V-Line Cup and with the Geelong Falcons program as well, which has been really exciting. Then I stepped into the senior coaching role with Grovedale for the last couple of seasons, really taking it on from there."
The opportunity presenting itself is an exciting one for Hassett, with the VFLW Cats looking to return to Finals for the first time since 2022.
Geelong's VFLW side competed well last year against some tough opponents, finishing the season with three wins including a victory over eventual premiers, North Melbourne in round six.
Hassett talked through the changes she is looking to make, as she looks to leave an impact on the playing group in 2025.
"I definitely think that building a really positive culture is something that I am really big on," Hassett told Cats Media.
"I think that facilitates growth as a team and enables people to work together. Coming into a new program, I am really keen to put my mark on it in terms of the culture within the playing group, then hopefully our on field performance goes from there.
"I am so excited, it will be great to get back into it (pre-season) and I hope the playing group are really keen to get back and get to work. Hopefully we can really start off strong pre-Christmas, and then continue building as a group."
