SAM WRIGHT'S departure from Collingwood means there are now four senior coaching vacancies available in the AFLW.
Essendon, St Kilda and Tasmania are also on the hunt for their new (or in the case of the Devils, inaugural) AFLW senior coach.
A benefit of the 18-team system is while it took some time to initially fill the wider coaching panels, there are now plenty of candidates who have at least four AFLW seasons under their belts as assistants.
Who's in the mix for the open AFLW jobs?
The assistants
Steph Binder (Hawthorn assistant)
Binder has built up significant assistant coaching experience at North Melbourne, Collingwood and Hawthorn since 2022, including a VFLW head coach role with the Roos.
Matt Brewer (St Kilda interim coach)
Brewer will have three senior matches under his belt by the time the Saints' season is finished, and has already made headlines for dropping Jesse Tawhiao-Wardlaw. He has coached Casey Demons VFLW, and had a decent stint with Melbourne's AFLW side as an assistant.
Ben Brown (Essendon assistant)
A highly experienced AFL player who has been working with AFLW teams in various capacities since 2019, overlapping with his playing days. He has moved from head of development to a line coaching role, and also got the call-up for Australia v Ireland.
Courtney Cramey (Adelaide assistant)
Cramey is now in her sixth season as assistant coach at Adelaide, and is a former Crows premiership player and state captain. Was one of the assistant coaches for the Australia v Ireland rep game.
Brett Gourley (Richmond senior assistant)
Gourley was at North Melbourne – including as VFLW premiership coach – for the past three seasons, holding various roles including head of development. Gourley crossed to Richmond this season to take on a full-time role.
Tanya Hetherington (Sydney assistant)
Stuck around at the Swans after she was overlooked for the senior role, and has also taken on the Academy senior coaching job at the club. Former GWS player and Diamond Creek coach who has been at the Swans since 2023.
Sam Iles (Gold Coast senior assistant)
Now in his sixth season at the Suns, where he is highly regarded by the playing group. Coached the club's female Academy before Rhyce Shaw held the role, as well as Queensland's under-18 side.
Phil Lovett (Brisbane assistant)
Lovett has been one of Craig Starcevich's key lieutenants since 2020, when he joined as a development coach, and originally hails from Canberra.
Peter Mercoulia (Western Bulldogs assistant)
Mercoulia has built up a long AFLW apprenticeship over the years, joining Melbourne back in 2017 – including a stint as VFLW coach – and crossing to the Dogs in 2024.
Aasta O'Connor (Carlton VFLW/AFLW assistant)
O'Connor has turned the Blues' reserves program around in the last few years, and has had them playing a modern style of footy. Former AFLW and pre-AFLW champion of the game, with plenty of contacts throughout the playing cohort from her time running the AFLW Academy.
Ryan Pendlebury (Geelong assistant)
Another North Melbourne graduate, Pendlebury had been at the Roos for two seasons before crossing to Geelong this year. Highly regarded for his tactical nous. Is the partner of Collingwood veteran Brit Bonnici, which may have a bearing on his decision as to whether to throw his hat into the ring for the Pies job.
Shae Sloane (Melbourne head of development)
One who has regularly been in the frame, but is currently on maternity leave, having just given birth to son Joey in the past few weeks.
Emma Zielke (GWS assistant)
Former Brisbane premiership captain, she's now got a season under her belt at another AFLW club, having coached the Lions' Academy team after her retirement.
The players
There are a handful of recently retired, about-to-retire and potentially retiring AFLW players who have done decent coaching stints while playing. Jumping straight into a senior coaching role is a big jump to make, but this trio are capable.
Alicia Eva (GWS)
Eva has one more game remaining in her AFLW career before she considers what's to come. Has a very lengthy coaching history, including as a development coach in the men's program and head coach of the club's female academy. Former captain.
Emma Kearney (North Melbourne)
Hasn't made up her mind yet about next year, but is currently sidelined with another soft-tissue injury. Had a brief stint with North's VFLW team earlier this year as an acting senior coach, and has also been a development coach with the men's team. A premiership captain.
Chelsea Randall
Retired earlier this year due to concussion, and has long combined a coaching career with playing, including like the others, as a development coach with the men's team. A premiership captain.
The former W senior coaches
Matthew Clarke (Glenelg SANFL)
Clarke is fairly firmly rooted in South Australia, but has had a big impact in a short period of time at the Tigers. A dual-premiership AFLW coach.
Scott Gowans (Eastern Ranges girls)
Gowans has taken charge of two inaugural builds at North Melbourne and Sydney, parting ways with the Swans at the end of last year. Has taken on Talent League side Eastern Ranges this season.
Paul Groves (Williamstown VFLW)
Took the Seagulls to a minor premiership, knocking off North Melbourne in the process. Was most recently at Essendon in an assistant coaching role, and was the Western Bulldogs' 2018 premiership coach.
Dan Lowther (Werribee VFL)
The former Geelong leader hasn't ruled out a return to a senior coaching role at AFLW level, and with four different jobs on offer, might be tempted. Could also consider a "director of coaching" style role.
