Adelaide has finalised its coaching panel for the 2019 AFLW season with respected South Australian football figures Narelle Smith and Tim Weatherald appointed as assistant coaches.
Smith and Weatherald join Crows past players Andrew McLeod and Peter Caven, and opposition analyst Brooke Copeland, who will all return to the Crows coaching panel to work under senior coach Matthew Clarke for the competition’s third season.
A 130-game player in the Adelaide Footy Women’s League, Smith has been a leader in the women’s game for two decades.
She has previously coached Glenelg’s SANFLW team, SA’s state women’s team and Morphettville Park’s senior women’s team, which she steered to back-to-back Adelaide Footy League premierships.
In February this year, Smith made history as the first women to take the reins of an SANFL men’s team when she was appointed senior coach of Glenelg Football Club’s reserves team.
Narelle Smith has joined the AFLW coaching panel for 2019
Weatherald, who played 311 games with Sturt and Norwood in the SANFL, has coaching experience in both Adelaide and Darwin, where he has been living since the end of 2014.
The 2002 Magarey Medalist will continue to be based in the Northern Territory as part of Adelaide’s successful partnership with AFLNT, replacing Andrew Hodges who has elected to focus on his position as head coach of the Thunder’s NEAFL men’s side.
Crows General Manager Football Administration Phil Harper said Smith and Weatherald were fantastic additions to the Club’s AFLW coaching panel.
“Narelle has a wealth of football experience both as a coach and a player and has been instrumental in the establishment of the women’s game in South Australia,” Harper said.
“She has previously coached a number of our players and her passion and knowledge for the game will be of great benefit to our squad.
“Tim also already has strong knowledge of many of our players through his work with the Northern Territory Thunder’s VFLW side this year.
Tim Weatherald at TIO Stadium, Darwin
“He is passionate about the women’s game and will play a particularly important role in the development of our players and other talented players based in Darwin.
“We’re thrilled to have them both join our coaching panel and believe they can provide valuable expertise as we continue to grow our women’s football program.”
Harper also thanked Hodges and fellow assistant Mark Moody, who is departing to pursue other opportunities, for their significant contributions.
“Both Andrew and Mark were key parts of the coaching panel which led the Club to the inaugural AFLW premiership and were extremely valued members of our team,” he said.
“We thank them both for all they have done to help us establish our successful women’s football program.
