AFLW 2023: Hawthorn coach Bec Goddard quits after two seasons

Just days after Nathan Burke was let go by the Bulldogs, a fourth AFLW coaching job is vacant after Bec Goddard sensationally quit the Hawks.

Hawthorn AFL Women’s coach Bec Goddard has sensationally walked away from her role.

A pivotal figure in AFLW - who is also a member of the league’s competition committee - Goddard said she had spent decades “trying to scrap” to get ahead and into football, and that it was “tiring”.

Goddard was out of contract and is understood to have been considering what next year could hold over recent weeks before meeting with club officials this week.

Players were informed on Friday afternoon of her coaching retirement.

Goddard said that “having been a life-long Hawthorn supporter, it was a dream come true to lead the club as its first AFLW senior coach”.

“I’ve been very fortunate to work with an incredible group of players, coaches, and staff across the past two seasons, and I would like to thank all of them for their support, love and care,” the Hawks’ inaugural coach said.

“The time is right for the club and myself to embark upon new directions, and I leave Hawthorn proud of everything we achieved.”

Bec Goddard has walked away from Hawthorn. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos

Recently-appointed Hawthorn chief executive Ash Klein said Goddard had been a “trailblazer” for both the club and the competition, with the hunt for a new coach to begin immediately.

She had this AFL season also worked with Hawthorn men’s senior coach Sam Mitchell as a development coach.

Goddard, the competition’s inaugural premiership coach during her first stint senior coaching at Adelaide, has led the Hawks since their inception ahead of season seven last year.

She was a central figure in building the team’s inaugural list – including the recruitment of key players Emily Bates and Greta Bodey out of Brisbane at the end of last season - and departs with a 6-14 record at Hawthorn across two seasons at the helm.

“We remain committed to investing and developing our next generation of talent to align with the club’s strategic priority in creating an elite AFLW program. We will get to work to recruit a new AFLW senior coach immediately,” Hawks football boss Rob McCartney said in a club statement late on Friday afternoon.

“When we look back at Bec’s time at the club, she will be a part of so many of our first important moments. Bec will always be a special part of the Hawthorn fabric, and we wish her and her partner Shanrah the very best for the future.”

Goddard’s departure marks the fourth AFLW coaching vacancy within weeks after Bulldogs coach Nathan Burke was let go by the club on Wednesday with a year to run on his contract.

Michael Prior departed the Eagles before the season ended and Steve Symonds has parted ways with Collingwood.