HAWTHORN coach Bec Goddard believes the resources and care that went into the club's VFLW program has set the club up for AFLW success. 

The club started its women’s program in 2018 when it joined the VFLW competition, and won the premiership in 2019 with current Hawthorn players Sarah Perkins and Tamara Luke a part of the side that defeated Geelong. 

“I think because Hawthorn hasn't had an AFLW license they’ve really valued women in the program that they have,” Goddard told the Credit to the Girls podcast.

“That is the highest level they had so all the resources and everything went into that program and high performance, to get to this day where we would have an AFLW program and be well set up to just roll that continuation on.”

(L-R) Bombers head coach Natalie Wood and player Sophie Van De Heuvel, Hawks player Tilly Lucas-Rodd and head coach Bec Goddard during the 2022 AFLW Season Seven Fixture Launch at Ikon Park on July 4, 2022. Picture: Getty Images

In the lead up to AFLW season seven, Hawthorn had 17 players from its VFLW program signed to AFLW lists across the competition. Nine of those players were signed by Hawthorn to bolster its inaugural list. 

“I think when women are valued and treated in the way they deserve to be treated which is as athletes and high performance and you see the results,” Goddard said.

“Seventeen players were taken by ourselves and AFLW clubs because they’re deemed as ready to go.” 

As for what fans can expect in Season Seven of the AFLW Goddard says fans can expect to see a “ferocious and offensive” style of football from the Hawks.

EPISODE GUIDE

  • 1:30 Hawthorn AFLW Coach Bec Goddard joins the show
  • 1:49 Goddard on how Hawthorn’s pre-season is going and the biggest focus
  • 3:28 Why building connection is so important for a new team
  • 4:00 The lessons Bec Goddard learnt from building the inaugural Adelaide team
  • 5:00 That went into Hawthorn’s recruiting strategy
  • 7:20 How Aileen Gilroy ended up at the Hawks
  • 8:15 What Tilly Lucas-Rodd will bring to Hawthorn
  • 10:00 Who is the player that Hawks fan should be excited about?
  • 10:45 The Hawks VFLW program being a breeding ground for AFLW
  • 12:00 Why Hawthorn’s round one clash against the Bombers should be moved to Marvel
  • 13:20 The biggest challenges heading into season seven and beyond
  • 17:30 What Bec Goddard hopes the Hawks can achieve in season seven