Past Senior AFLW Coaches

Bec Goddard (2016-18)

Bec Goddard added the key words “first AFLW premiership coach” to her varied profile when she led the Crows in their inaugural 2017 season.

The Australian Federal Police officer joined the Crows midway through 2016 after moving to South Australia to be an assistant coach with the under-18 boys’ team at SANFL club Woodville-West Torrens.

Previously, Goddard had gained recognition for becoming the first female umpire (and later coach) in the NEAFL and being awarded the 2015 AFL Football Woman of the Year Award.

Under her guidance, the Crows were dominant in the AFLW and finished second on the ladder with five wins and two losses and the highest points total in the competition. Adelaide defeated the Brisbane Lions in the Grand Final to clinch the inaugural AFLW Premiership trophy.

In 2017, she was named AFLW All-Australian coach, South Australian Sports Coach of the Year and AFL Football Woman of the Year.

Goddard left at the end of the following season when the Crows missed the finals and finished fifth with three wins, three losses, and a draw.

“I’ll always be proud of what we achieved and grateful to the Adelaide Football Club for the opportunity,” said Goddard, who was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2021.