MELBOURNE will conduct a thorough process as it looks to replace Michelle Cowan as its head women’s coach for 2017.
With Cowan recently departing Melbourne to remain in her home state of Western Australia – she has since taken up the women’s coaching role with Fremantle – the red and blue are now considering its options.
Melbourne men’s coach Paul Roos reiterated on Friday that he wouldn’t coach the women’s side in 2017, as he will be overseas with family later this year.
Newly appointed women’s football operations manager Debbie Lee said the club would treat the situation like it was filling a vacant coaching position on the men’s team.
“We’re going to be really diligent about the process,” she told Melbourne TV.
“We’re going to treat it exactly how we’d appoint one of our men’s coaches.
“[General manager of football operations] Josh Mahoney is heavily involved in the process and we’re just putting together the position descriptions now and there should be something out by middle to late next week.
“We’re really confident that we’ll get the right person for the job.”
Lee said Melbourne had submitted five marquee preferences to the AFL for its 2017 squad. Each club will gain access to two marquee players.
“We’re just waiting to hear back from the AFL and an announcement will be made within two weeks,” Lee said.
“It’s probably known that Daisy Pearce is our No.1 [marquee player preference] and we’ve shown we’re pretty comfortable with her.
“We’ll see how we go with our second marquee player, but we’re pretty confident.”
Lee, one of greats of women’s football, said she was excited about her new role.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity that the club has presented to me,” she said.
“We’ve got a bit to do and there are lots of things to organise through our coaching panel – from our head coach to our line coaches, plus looking at our off-field team, our list builds and recruiting.
“There are lots and lots of things to get done, but we’re in a good place to get it done.”
Lee said the September 3 exhibition match between Melbourne and the Bulldogs was a great showcase leading into next year’s women’s league.
“It’s a real opportunity for people to come to the game or watch it in their lounge rooms. You’ll see the best 50 players running around the Whitten Oval and I suspect you’ll see the 16 marquee players,” she said.
“So fans will be able to see what they’re going to see in the following year.”
“It’s the first time that it’s a night match and we’re taking it to the community, so it’ll be a great contest.”
