Darebin Falcons appoint a four-time premiership great as VFLW coach

Darebin Falcons have turned to a familiar face to lead the club in VFLW 2022, four-time premiership great and AFLW pioneer Kate Tyndall.

Kate Tyndall in action for Darebin Falcons. Picture: Rob Lawson Photography

Darebin Falcons have turned to a familiar face to lead the VFL Women’s club in 2022.

Four-time premiership great and AFLW pioneer Kate Tyndall will take the coaching reins next season, taking over from Mitch Skelly.

Tyndall played 109 games for the Falcons, a key part of the Darebin dynasty that also featured the likes of Daisy Pearce, Katie Brennan, Darcy Vescio and Karen Paxman.

Drafted with pick No.117 in the inaugural AFL Women’s Draft in 2016, she made seven appearances for the Western Bulldogs in 2017.

Tyndall served as an assistant coach under Skelly and predecessor Michael Ericson and will look to lift the once dominant Falcons out of the VFLW cellar.

Kate Tyndall in action for the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Stuart Walmsley

Kate Tyndall in action for Darebin Falcons. Picture: Rob Lawson Photography

Falcons president Jane Ryan was looking forward to seeing Tyndall now make her mark off the field.

“Kate is a really well known Falc, she epitomises our club – played at the highest level, been very successful,” Ryan said.

“Her connection with the pathway, understanding AFLW and what’s required from elite athletes, is really important.

“Whenever she speaks the whole Darebin community listens, even if it’s soccer people, that’s the respect that she’s got around the club.

Darebin has suffered a major talent drain since the introduction of AFLW, sliding from premiers in 2017 to just four wins in 2019 and one this season.

Ryan hoped Tyndall’s appointment would help reestablish the Falcons as a power.

Kate Tyndall talks to Darebin players. Picture: Rob Lawson Photography

“That’s what footy’s all about, people want to play where they know they’ll be coached to an elite level and pushed to perform the best they can,” she said.

“I’m really confident Tyndall will be a beacon to players because she knows what it takes to go all the way.”

Skelly departs after two years, the first wiped out by COVID-19 and the second hampered by an interrupted pre-season and lockdowns.

The Falcons produced some strong showings but could only sing the song once, defeating North Melbourne by 12 points in Round 6.

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Ryan thanked Skelly for his dedication in extremely difficult circumstances.

“Mitch did a really good job of keeping everyone together through tough COVID times and this year was pretty tough too with on-again, off-again and an interrupted pre-season,” she said.

“I have to admit after having two consecutive male coaches it was in my mind – because we’ve got some of the best women’s football brains – to promote a woman and Mitch understood that as well.

“He understood that we’ve got to move on and be seen as one of the leaders in this space, it’s something I’m passionate about in my presidency.”