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VFLW 2019: Darebin aiming to emulate success of VFL’s powerful stand-alone clubs

Darebin Falcons can build a proud brand as a powerful stand-alone VFLW club in the mould of Williamstown and Port Melbourne, says new coach Michael Ericson.

Maddy Guerin prepares to get a kick away for Darebin last season.
Maddy Guerin prepares to get a kick away for Darebin last season.

Darebin Falcons can build a proud brand as a powerful stand-alone VFLW club in the mould of Williamstown and Port Melbourne, says new coach Michael Ericson.

Ericson, a former assistant with Northern Blues and Essendon’s VFLW side, has replaced decorated premiership mentor Jane Lange as the Falcons coach.

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The 34-year-old said Darebin was in a “transitional period” and seeking to establish itself as a “strong stand-alone club”.

“I aspire to be that Williamstown or Port Melbourne of the men’s game in the women’s game,” Ericson said.

“The players they have had drafted from them are outstanding and they consistently come back.

“Whether it’s to play or they come back just to help out … it says a lot about what the club has built so far.

“Now going into the future with so many more AFLW clubs and alignments, it’s just being able to build a really strong brand that girls want to come and play footy at.

“Not just one or two years — it’s their home club they are really proud of.”

Darebin and Williamstown are the only clubs not affiliated with AFLW teams which compete in the revamped state league.

The Falcons finished fifth in VFLW last year as their reign as the five-time reigning premier came to an end.

“We are getting a pretty good understanding of what our list is looking like,” Ericson said. “We have got some really good young girls that have come through our Darebin junior pathway, and a few that have been around VFL footy the last couple of years that are ready to take their game to the next level.”

The next two years loom as a key period in shaping Darebin’s future, with North Melbourne and Geelong to enter AFLW teams for the first time this season and four other clubs to join the national competition in 2020.

“I reckon our club will definitely be of a lot of interest to those delisted players,” Ericson said. “I definitely see us as a pathway.”

The Falcons open their 2019 campaign on Saturday, May 11 with a home fixture against Richmond.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/vflw-2019-darebin-aiming-to-emulate-success-of-vfls-powerful-standalone-clubs/news-story/90d175411b07022adae8c7b45dcd0e3f