DAMIEN Keeping has been named VFLW Casey Demons senior coach, following the departure of Colin Garland.

Melbourne general manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said the club was delighted to secure Keeping.

“We are very fortunate to have someone of Damien’s calibre coaching our inaugural Casey Demons VFLW team,” he told Melbourne Media. 

“Damien’s experience at TAC level, experience within the youth girls’ pathway and more recently leading Carlton’s AFLW program made him the perfect candidate.

“Damien has already thrown himself into the role, to understand our list and game style, and we look forward to the VFLW girls’ first game this weekend against Hawthorn at Casey Fields.”

Garland, who retired from playing at the end of last season, after 141 AFL games with Melbourne, was initially named inaugural Casey Demons coach last October.

But he has since returned to his native state of Tasmania for personal reasons.

Keeping was Carlton’s inaugural AFLW coach in 2017 and coached the Blues in the opening round of the 2018 AFLW season, before illness forced him to relinquish the position to assistant Nick Rutley for rounds two and three.

He returned to coach the Blues for the final four rounds, before mutually parting with Carlton at the end of the season, having coached 12 matches.

Before his time at the Blues, Keeping had six years in the Calder Cannons TAC Cup program, where he was an assistant coach. He also coached the Victoria Metro youth girls and was involved in other academies.

Keeping also coached the Western Bulldogs in the women’s exhibition game against Melbourne, before the AFLW started.

Jade Rawlings, Garry O’Sullivan, Kimberley Morton, Todd Patterson and Mick Stinear were part of the selection committee to appoint Keeping.

The 45-year-old will start in the role immediately.