Adelaide has named Matthew Clarke as new AFLW coach

ADELAIDE has named Matthew Clarke to succeed premiership coach Bec Goddard to lead the Crows’ women’s team.

Matthew Clarke juggles during Crows training. Picture Dylan Coker

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NEW Adelaide women’s coach Matthew Clarke has called his AFLW senior coaching role attractive in itself rather than a stepping stone to further his career in the men’s game.

Clarke, who will combine the role with his part-time ruck coaching job with the club’s men’s program, accepted the job and began immediately on Wednesday.

He takes over from inaugural AFLW premiership Bec Goddard, who has returned to her role with the federal police in Canberra after two seasons as Adelaide coach.

Clarke, who also does some work in the club’s commercial department, will now interview the assistant coaches — which include premiership players Andrew McLeod and Peter Caven — as he builds up a program of his liking.

Matthew Clarke keeps a close eye on Rory Sloane during a warm-up. Picture Sarah Reed

“It’s not a development opportunity,” Clarke said of his new job. “It’s a destination.

“I think ... committed group of athletes, great upside, they want to get better, highly competitive competition and a well resourced club.

“If you’re into coaching, those are the core elements you look for.

“Since they’ve been involved I think it’s one of the most exciting things that’s happened in footy.

“And for our club, it’s one of the best things that’s happened for our footy club.

“Those are the reasons I applied for the job and thankfully I got it.”

Clarke hosed down the suggestion he had taken the job with an eye of one day becoming a senior coach in the AFL.

“It’s not at all,” he said. “For me, I think it should be a destination for coaches, athletes, people who are aspiring to be involved in sport.

“This is where you want to be if you’re interested in coaching.”

Clarke, who played 258 games for Brisbane, Adelaide and St Kilda, was seen as a ready-made replacement for Goddard.

Crows head of football Brett Burton, a former teammate of Clarke’s, said he expected Clarke to slot in seamlessly.

“Matt has been a part of the coaching team at the Crows for the past 10 years and has a strong understanding of our AFLW program as well as what we stand for across the Club more broadly,” Burton said. “While his football experience is obviously impressive, Matt also has a brilliant strategic mind and brings a strong focus on personal development and culture which is important.

“As a club we went through a thorough process to get the best person for this role and Matt brings a wealth of experience and qualities which we feel will strengthen our women’s program.

“We are confident that under his tutelage the women and girls involved with our club will continue to progress and excel both on and off the field.”