Hawthorn Coach Sam Mitchell says having AFLW Coach Bec Goddard also form part of his coaching team will provide a different skillset and fresh perspective to his side.
Speaking to the media together on Wednesday, Mitchell said he was thrilled to be able to utilise Goddard’s knowledge and experience as part of the men’s football program.
“I’ve had a relationship with Bec, we’ve worked together in different capacities over the last 12 to 18 months,” Mitchell said.
“We were talking about it with the players – it’s not ‘we’ve got a women’s coach in’, it’s ‘we’ve got another coach in’.
“She can really help us from a development coaching, the fact she’s a head coach of a whole other program adds a level of skillset that certainly helps me and our players."
Goddard has a proven coaching record in the AFLW, having led Adelaide to premiership success in the competition’s inaugural season.
She coached the Crows for the 2017 and 2018 seasons before joining the brown and gold family as coach of the club’s VFLW side in the 2021 season.
But she officially began her new role as the club’s AFLW Senior Coach earlier this month.
Goddard said getting her feet back under the desk “felt a bit like the first day at school”.
“I’m learning a lot and getting to know all the players and I’m really enjoying seeing what the football working life looks like,” Goddard said.
“They’re (the men’s program) in-season and we’re at the phase of building a list. Between player interviews and meetings, I get to come downstairs and be with the guys so it’s a great opportunity.”
While the AFLW's Season Seven start date for this year has yet to be confirmed, Goddard said the club was prepared to tackle the season head on if it were to be brought forward.
“We’ve got a great opportunity here to set it up right from the start and be really competitive and have a successful club for not only a good time, but a long time,” she said.
“We’re just doing it on the basis that it’s going to be August, I think that’s the best way to prepare. And if we get any more time, fantastic.
“I think the challenge will be for the players more so, they’ll have a really short turnaround.
“But whether that happened this year or the next season, someone had to go first. And that is the story of women in sport, someone has to go first.”
Mitchell said that while the outcome of last week's game against St Kilda was disappointing, his sole focus is now on his side's upcoming Easter Monday clash with Geelong.
“There’s 24 hours to feel whatever you feel from the game, if you want to go into a dark cave you can do so, or if you want to feel up and about and happy dependent on your performance – either of those things are okay,” Mitchell said.
“But after 24 hours after the game you should be in that same position where you’re ready for the next contest and you’re not influenced by what just happened.’
Hear more from Mitchell and Goddard following their press conference on Wednesday.
