GFNL 2023: Former Geelong star Tim McGrath to coach South Barwon women’s team

A former Cats star is back coaching in the region, joining a GFNL powerhouse in a coup for their program.

Tim McGrath Geelong Amateur in 2019.Picture: Stephen Harman

South Barwon has signed a former 200-game Cat to coach its senior women's side, landing Tim McGrath in a boost to the program.

McGrath played 226 games as a key defender for Geelong and North Melbourne for 1989-2002, with 219 of those with the Cats where he was best remembered for his duels with champion Wayne Carey.

The 53-year-old comes with a wealth of experience at local level, coaching Grovedale’s men’s side from 2005-06 and more recently coaching Geelong Amateur’s senior women's team from 2018-2021.

McGrath’s work connection with South Barwon’s under-14 girls coach helped set the wheels in motion for him to replace former women’s coach Mark Wilson.

Promoted to Division 2 in 2023 after making the Division 3 grand final last year, South Barwon was knocked out in the elimination final after finishing fourth on the ladder.

Tim McGrath played more than 200 games with the Cats.

The club is hopeful that McGrath and new female football co-ordinator David Laherty, a life member with the Swans, can guide South Barwon to Division 1.

South Barwon president Tim Sherman said his passion and experience women’s football stood out along with his extensive resume at the highest level.

Sherman said Wilson had done a great job in leading the senior side but believes it is time for a “different set of eyes”, similar to the success of their men’s team in the first season with Mark Neeld at the helm.

“He had coaching experience at all levels basically, it was a big plus for us – especially having coached women’s football in the past,” Sherman said.

“We thought that was very important, so he understands the requirements of coaching women and that was certainly a big plus for us.

“Through a work colleague of his that coaches our under-14 girls team, the contact was made through him and we had a few chats with ‘Bluey’.

Certainly very enthusiastic about women’s football which is great and wants to see us continue to develop our program and he thinks he can help us with that.

“He obviously brings a lot of experience having played at the highest level for 200 games and understands what it takes and just a different set of eyes on our team. We’ve had Mark Wilson coach the team for a number of years and has done a fantastic job but having a different set of eyes – which obviously worked well in our men’s program for us.”

Originally published as GFNL 2023: Former Geelong star Tim McGrath to coach South Barwon women’s team