When it comes to expanding the NAB AFL Women's competition in 2019, Adelaide's premiership-winning coach Bec Goddard has one message: less is more.
As the competition’s first premiership coach, Goddard was asked to give her feedback from the inaugural AFLW season to the AFL Commission.
The feisty coach, who on Tuesday re-signed with the Club for the 2018 season, said the competition needed to be cautious when planning its expansion.
"[Speaking to the commission] was really exciting. I thought I'd just have 10 minutes to make a lasting impression, and I walked out 45 minutes later," Goddard told AFL Media.
"I spoke from the heart about my experiences in women's football, being in the dark ages and days when we were really struggling and trying to get our product out there and increase numbers.
"That's where I spoke from, not as coach of the Adelaide Crows, [but as] someone who had been in there and done it.
"It's not just about participation, it's about a quality product people can strive for and maintain. I wouldn't put a number on it [how many teams should be added for the 2019 season], but certainly less is more – don't go bang and risk losing it all."
You get the impression the Commission would have been left in no doubt as to Goddard's thoughts on the issue.
The 39-year-old Goddard is no-nonsense. She looks you straight in the eye when speaking, and is direct, clear and candid. Players know exactly where they stand with her, and they respect and respond well to her as a result.
Goddard's first senior position was as head coach of Gunghalin Jets women's team in the ACT in 2008. She quickly rose through the ranks, leading the NSW/ACT youth girls' team by 2010 and was head coach of the AFL Canberra women's representative team in 2015.
She has a well-rounded view of the game, having played for 10 years before a broken leg led her to umpiring for a time.
Being a female umpire in a local-level men's league can be challenging, but nothing in comparison to Goddard's "day job".
When the AFLW season finished, the highly rated coach returned to the Australian Federal Police, for whom she has worked since 2001.
"I'm back at work full-time … and getting on with the real part of life," she said.
"I've found it [returning to work] almost like a bit of rest. When you're in football, it's seven days a week. You're thinking about it constantly, so it's good to have a break."
It might be a rest from the demands of the game at the highest level, but Goddard's work as an AFP officer is far from relaxing. She is involved in a joint anti-child exploitation team, run by the South Australian and Federal police.
But Goddard has not removed herself entirely from football. She stays in touch with her Crows players, keeping an eye on their form in various state leagues across the country.
"I'm watching every move. Bec Goddard is always watching," she said, pointing two fingers at her narrowed eyes, mock-seriously.
"It's great. I catch up with a lot of the girls, and if I don't see them physically, I speak to them on the phone.
"We're in constant contact because aside from winning a premiership together, we are now a family and we care about what each other is doing."
Goddard believes the strength of Adelaide's list – split between South Australia and the Northern Territory – is down to the variety of the playing group, both on- and off-field.
"We went with diversity – that's how we drafted. Each player brought something different to the table,” she said.
"We've obviously got some change in personnel, so we've got to make sure the people we bring in offer that kind of diversity to keep it kicking."
Bec Goddard coaching the Allies at the AFLW U18 national championships. Picture: AFL Media
One of those changes was the delisting of top-20 draft pick Heather Anderson, who was a cornerstone of Adelaide's defence before badly dislocating her shoulder in the Grand Final triumph over the Brisbane Lions.
Goddard said Anderson, an army medic based in the Northern Territory, is still a chance to be re-drafted in October.
"Heather and I have had really honest discussions about her injury and I've told her – we speak every month about how she's going, how she's tracking – it will be totally about how her body and mind recover from such a significant injury as to whether we look to take her again for season two."
Adelaide's NAB AFLW Rising Star award winner Ebony Marinoff was impressive for the Crows this year. The gutsy midfielder played with little fear and topped the competition for tackles.
Despite re-signing with the Crows for the 2018 AFLW season, the Adelaide local has moved to Melbourne to play with VFLW powerhouse Darebin this winter.
Goddard said she's in contact with Darebin's coaching staff, keeping an eye on the young star's progress.
"Ideally, I would have loved her to stay and play in South Australia, where we can help her work on the things we want her to work on, but she's surrounded by great people at Darebin and we'll support her whatever she does."
Goddard last week took the reins for the Allies in the NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships on the Gold Coast. The team was undefeated.
The Allies (a combined side made of the best talent from South Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania) stayed in a youth camp, less than luxurious surroundings compared to other state sides.
But Goddard has the magic touch. Using the words "resilient" and "professional" as focal points, she brought a group of girls together from around the country just three days before the competition started, defeating much more fancied teams, NSW/ACT, Western Australia and Queensland.
Many observers remarked how cohesive the side was, and how much the girls seemed to enjoy playing with each other and for Goddard.
Before the last phase of the carnival, Goddard said coaching the Allies presented a perfect opportunity to get first-hand knowledge of potential draftees before the NAB AFLW Draft in October. It’s ominous news for the rest of the competition.
Goddard said she was looking forward to her second season with the Crows.
"The competition will be even tougher and we are already working hard to ensure we play a brand of football we and our fans can be proud.”
