Nick Dal Santo will lead St Kilda’s AFLW side as senior coach for a fourth season, flanked by an experienced and established assistant coaching panel to continue the Saints’ march in 2024.
After serving as specialist coaches in the ruck and backline respectively last season, Alison Downie has stepped up into the role of Skill Acquisition Assistant & Opposition Analyst in tandem with her managing of the club’s ruck stocks, while David Carden has reassumed the post of Assistant Coach (Defence).
Downie will work closely with Coaching Educator and Team Defence Coordinator Patrick Hill, who has officially returned to the Saints’ coaching ranks after heading up the development space and serving as game-day runner in previous seasons.
Meanwhile, Carden will be accompanied by fellow line coaches Dale Robinson (Assistant Coach - Forwards) and Lachie Harris (Assistant Coach - Midfield), with the latter also taking on duties as Training Coordinator and Recruiting Assistant.
“We’re extremely pleased to have locked in this year’s coaching panel and are very confident this group can push the club in the direction we’re all striving towards,” EGM of AFLW Tessie McManus said.
“Having the continuity and connection between all our coaches, who have worked together in various capacities for several seasons now, is extremely beneficial on several fronts and we believe this will help get the best out of our entire squad."
Across the program, Deanna Jolliffe has been appointed as Development Coach, while Anthony Tang will continue his combined role of AFLW List & Recruiting Manager and Head of Analytics.
2024 AFLW Coaching Panel
Nick Dal Santo - Senior Coach
Lachie Harris - Assistant Coach (Midfield)
Dale Robinson - Assistant Coach (Forwards)
David Carden - Assistant Coach (Defence)
Patrick Hill - Team Defence Coordinator & Coaching Educator
Alison Downie - Skill Acquisition Assistant & Opposition Analyst
Deanna Jolliffe - Development Coach
Anthony Tang - List & Recruiting Manager / Head of Analytics
