Former Carlton women’s football manager Nicole Graves on Gold Coast and assisting Coolangatta Tweed QAFLW team

One of the most respected figures in women’s football has landed on the Suns doorstep with ambitions to get back into coaching.

ONE of the most respected figures in women’s football has landed on the Suns doorstep with ambitions to get back into coaching.

Nicole Graves is currently on the Gold Coast as part of a two to three week block where she is assisting the Coolangatta Blues QAFLW team.

Graves was Carlton’s women’s football manager during the 2018 AFLW season and has previously coached Swan Districts to multiple premierships in the WAFLW.

Coolangatta Tweed QAFLW coach Matt Bedford said Graves was looking to move to the Gold Coast and would be an asset to the Suns.

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“She is good friends with (Bluebirds player and Suns AFLW signing) Leah Kaslar,” Bedford said.

“Last year she came and took a session for us. In the grand plan for Nicole she would like to perhaps move back into the coaching space after her role at Carlton.

“She has a contact at Coolangatta and would like to place herself on the Gold Coast so that was part of it.

Maddy Roberts of the Suns (right) is tackled by Maria Moloney of the Lions during the AFL QW Winter Series match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium on May 25, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

“She is up for two or three weeks and seeing how she fits in with Coolangatta with an eye on having more of a role next year if it all works out.

“She may have made some inquiries (with the Suns), I’m not 100 per cent sure. She would be an asset for everyone. I think she would fit in really well (at Gold Coast).

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“She is a footy encyclopaedia. She is a really good educator, good coach and good teacher.”

Meanwhile, six Coolangatta Tweed players have been named in the AFL Queensland emerging talent squad for the upcoming women’s representative match against West Australia Football League Women’s (WAFLW).

Alex Hamlyn, Indy Sleeth, Briana McFarlane, Selina Priest, Leigh Alder and Amy Fortescue.

The group have been named alongside Bond University players Georgia Brehmer, Kalinda Howarth, Laura Attard, Lauren Bella, Molly Ritson, Jess Maher and Lucinda Pullar. The final squad of 21 will be named on July 15.

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