Gold Coast Suns reveal their full AFLW coaching group ahead of 2020 season

SUNS AFLW head coach David Lake has outlined the approach his coaching group will take in order to lift Gold Coast to success in their debut season. MEET THE SUNS COACHING TEAM HERE.

SUNS AFLW head coach David Lake says his football department will adopt a nurturing mentality for players who will be led by a coaching team without hierarchy.

Gold Coast has finalised its coaching group for the 2020 AFLW season with triple premiership winning former Brisbane player Darryl White, ex-North Melbourne Skipper Andrew Swallow, former Coolangatta QAFLW coach Matt Bedford and former Lions female academy mentor John Taylor announced as the team behind Lake.

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White will work with the backline and rucks, Swallow the midfield, Taylor the forwards and Bedford will assist with player development.

“The guys are all better teachers of the game than I am in my view,” Lake said.

“If I can then manage the group and they can teach then it gives you a level of comfort. I don’t have any concerns about relationships or information.

Gold Coast Suns AFLW coaches (from left) Andrew Swallow, Matt Bedford, David Lake, John Taylor, Bruce Coulson (founder of Kool Kids Early Education Centres) and Darryl White. Picture: Supplied.

“I know we have all similar values and beliefs which is important for the girls to get that consistency.”

When Lake was searching for his assistants, who were all part of the club’s 2018 Winter Series campaign, he wanted interchangeable coaches who could work across all areas of the ground.

“A key focus point was if Darryl wasn’t here then Matt could coach the backs, if Tales (Taylor) wasn’t here Matt could coach the forwards or I could,” Lake said.

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“We all have our eye over everything and make our decisions as a collective.

“It’s not hierarchal in that sense. Ultimately I have to make decisions but we try and get the information from the collective and the different experiences.

“It’s pretty uncomplicated but one messaging that has come back from the girls after the Winter Series was they enjoy the personality of the coaches.

“Their personalities don’t overpower the information they are trying to hand over. It’s quite a nurturing style. They are all parents too.”

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