In all honesty I can’t see the day when there will ever be a female AFL coach.
Not that any of the other codes are different. Association football has the balding or salt-and-pepper, red-faced, animated males who look like they are about to explode on the sidelines from stress. Rugby coaches are all ex-players.
Even in a mixed sport like tennis, the majority of coaches are male. Hello there, Rafa’s Uncle Tony! You don’t see Federer’s coach having a fit on camera.
AFL is exactly the same as the other football codes. All male coaches, except perhaps for the rare female hidden the the back of the box, probably thinking up a better game plan while tapping her short acrylic french nails on the match-up magnetic board.
There are some female trainers and physios, and that’s about it.
The thought is pretty sad.
As a person who believes females have the ability to match males in any career, I still cannot see any side in the AFL employing a female senior coach.
I could see myself being a great coach, and those who know really know me would agree. I can match the mentality of an AFL coach. I hate losing… No, when I’m in charge or in control of an outcome I refuse to lose. I can be just as mean, cunning, and nasty, as sweet and kind.
On the other hand I’m also just as ready to get the boys over a loss by working at weaknesses and flaws, to ensure a cleaner performance for the following week. In this sense I’m a stickler for perfection.
Strategy-wise i know when a change needs to be made before things get worse (like yelling at Mick to make a switch on the Reid-Hawkins match-up four minutes into the third quarter in the last grand final). More importantly, I’d try picking players who are not bloody injured in the first place.
There is also something about female instinct that comes in handy when picking good players. My uncle pointed out that most of the players I claim to find attractive when they first arrive at clubs are the ones who become the flashy players later on: Scott Pendlebury, Bryce Gibbs, Joel Selwood, Andrew Swallow, Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin, Angus Monfries, Nathan Brown, Lance Franklin.
Something about the female eye sees that prettiness might lead to confidence, and confidence is the trait of great players. Recruiting with this in mind certainly wouldn’t hurt the membership numbers and attendance from women, either.
Picture this. A coach who eats Maxibons and drinks iced tea in the box, instead of lollies and Powerade.
A female coach who dresses with flair instead of the manly clothes they layer onto female commentators.
A nice pair of black stiletto pumps strutting down to meet the players in the huddle, the stern female death stare through Gucci black-framed glasses, the ‘I’m anxious’ hair ruffle in the glass reflection of the box, the ‘Not happy, umpire’ pout and most importantly the ‘Come here, sonny’ finger wave topped off with bubblegum-pink nail-polish.
Qualities that only I can bring to the table as a coach of an AFL team. So what’s not to like Mr Demetriou?
Jaredsbro
Roar Guru
Danielle why do you really think women would make great (that is as good as if not better than the better male coaches) additions to the process of getting a winning team going (a mentality as much as a reality)? I just wouldn't have said that coaching is particularly a sexed thing, ie those who once did coach rather than those who still do...because the strengths of a women you mention are things involved in being a fan in the present vs separating that from the analytical skills which come from the past tense as it were. But I did see a doco recently about women in the boardroom and how their diversity compared to the stacco of like-minded men is said to improve financial performance. Are you saying it would be more about having a point of difference or that somehow clubs are disadvantaged right now not having female coaches ;)
Lucan
Kellie Underwood is footy first and foremost. She was thrown the netball despite it not being her area of expertise. Her stint with 3AW footy was very refreshing, and I didn't mind her work on Ten's AFL coverage. I would prefer to listen to Underwood than a number of the current callers. How she doesn't have a proper gig and James Brayshaw does is beyond me.
AndyMack
Guest
To be honest, i did think her commentary was ok. Dwayne Russell's voice annoys me..... And Matty Lloyd's. Sorry, i think i took the conversation off piste there....
amazonfan
Guest
No, it doesn't surprise me. I think it's disappointing, but it certainly isn't surprising.
Danielle
Roar Rookie
The Cattery- haha thanks! i know, even the blokes some of those ties...reallyy really bad
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Danielle if no one is going to hire you for your footy coaching smarts - I hope you get a gig as a TV presenter wardrobe adviser! They need you!
Danielle
Roar Rookie
That reporter, Kelli Underwood was not the best choice. Personally i don't think she has a 'footy voice' more of a netball voice.. or maybe that's bc im used to her covering netball. Don't get me started on the clothes they made Kelli wear, whats the point of layering her with loose clothing, i mean contrast it to the feminine style of Samantha Lane on Before the Game, a little style won't kill them!
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
I dont know why it surprises anyone that the AFL community is heavily biased against women. The guys at the top have inevitably played at the top level (be it AFL or state footy). Demetriou, Fitzpatrick for example. The AFL is heavily into an old boys network, probably more so than any other code in the country. Sports programming uis heavily based on expert commentary - something which is also generally achieved by experience in said field. Again, hard for a woman to break into. Adelaide at one time employed Pat Mickan, a top level netball coach for skills coaching. but then they employed Robert Shaw and he was rubbish at the time....
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
to be honest though, her voice was just annoying.
Gucci
Guest
But that was because the commentary was crap. It's like Andrew O'Keefe on Weekend Sunrise, or James Toban as the substitute weather guy for Grant. They are all try-hards who try to be funny but aren't actually good at what they do. Are you seriously telling me you enjoyed that commentary?
amazonfan
Guest
Exactly, especially since the idea that one needed to have played the game in order to be CEO is extremely outdated, if it was ever valid, which I don't think it ever was. The problem is that the industry sees these women on boards, and pats itself on the back. However, we should have female presidents, female club CEO's, and eventually a female league CEO. I think it's really disappointing how we don't have any of that yet.
AndyMack
Guest
I think the problem lies in the fact that in 99% of cases, the clubs are going to go for people who have played at the top level. Occassionally this is overlooked, but its very much in the minority (across all sports). I personally have no doubt that a female is good enough to coach at the top level (I know a few who would be able to do it, who know more about the game then most men and play very well). The problem may well be the culture within footy, which unfortunately tends to be boys clubs..... Look at the negative reaction when we had a female commentating on the game on Channel 10 (i think...)
The Cattery
Roar Guru
there are a handful of women on footy boards, but given the importance of females to the prosperity of the AFL - there should be far more women on boards, and yes, no reason why one day there shouldn't be a femaile CEO
Football United
Guest
not sexist but i seriously doubt any female is going to be able to curb the massive egos of a top tier dressing room.
amazonfan
Guest
Interesting. :D
stabpass
Guest
Both Wayne and his brother Craig are actually products of Cairns football, which has produced quite a few AFL footballers, but AFAIK only one AFL coach.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
I have to say that I don't see it happening in the AFL. It would take one heck of a courageous club, and clubs tend to be pretty conservative. Once a coach reaches a certain age, or has failed enough interviews, or has dropped outside of the system, or doesn't fit the criteria of the reigning premiership coach, clubs lose interest. A female coach? No matter how tough, talented, and knowledgable she may be, I can't see it happening. Perhaps if Jeff Kennett was still president of Hawthorn... Furthermore, I think you're aiming too low. Instead of wanting to be a coach, you should be aiming to be AFL CEO! There is no reason that a woman couldn't be AFL CEO any time soon. In fact, I think it's rather disappointing that the non-football side of the AFL is still imcredibly male dominated. I think it would be amazing if Demetriou's successor was to be female. She would be the first female CEO of a major football competition probably in the history of the world! :D
amazonfan
Roar Guru
Wayne Brittain played in Queensland, before eventually coaching Carlton. I believe he was the first to not play at the top level (as opposed to those who played in the SANFL or WAFL) Also, what's with head coach (instead of senior coach)? That's so American.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
There have been a few coaches who have played at SANFL level, Neil Craig most recently. Brendan McCartney is unique for having played at a relatively low level, and made his reputation initially by coaching at a relatively low level, although he was an assistant for many years. Tom Hafey went from Shepp to the tiges to win premierships (as a coach), after a modest playing career.
stabpass
Guest
John Cahill springs to mind ...although SANFL level, although you are probably right as he coached at VFL level.