The GIANTS are pleased to announce their coaching cohort for the 2024 AFLW season, with Cam Bernasconi leading the group once again alongside two fresh faces.
Entering his third season as head coach of the GIANTS’ AFLW side, Bernasconi has welcomed newcomers Brent Chapman and Michael Horne to his coaching group for the 2024 AFLW season.
Hailing from Melbourne, Chapman joins the GIANTS as the AFLW program’s backline coach for the 2024 season. Chapman is also serving as the backline coach for the club’s VFL side.
A school teacher by trade, Chapman’s ability to educate is a valuable addition to the GIANTS’ coaching staff and the program’s young and exciting playing group
No stranger to the club, Horne also joins the AFLW coaching group where he will act as the strategy coach for the 2024 season.
The head of the club’s female academy program based in Canberra, Horne brings a wealth of experience to the GIANTS’ AFLW program from his playing days in the SANFL as well as several seasons as a senior coach in the NEAFL.
Joining the club in 2019, highly respected assistant Jon Vlatko will resume his role as forwards coach of the AFLW side this season, while three-time SANFL premiership player Trent Goodrem steps into the role as midfield coach after two seasons as a development coach.
Former premiership-winning Crow Rhiannon Metcalfe will continue her work as ruck and stoppage Coach for a second season, while Georgia Walker has stepped into a new role as head development coach after two seasons as the backline coach. Walker is also the head coach of the GIANTS Female Academy.
Darren Ratten and Stephen Camp round out the GIANTS’ 2024 AFLW coaching group, with the pair resuming their roles as development coaches this season.
Ratten, who also works with the club’s AFL and VFL sides in development coaching, will also continue to coach the AFLW’s rehab group, while Camp will continue to assist the GIANTS Academy coaching group alongside his AFLW duties.
GIANTS Executive General Manager - Football Strategy and Operations, Briana Harvey, said the club is excited with the mix of fresh ideas and experience that the 2024 AFLW coaching group brings.
“Firstly, we’re thrilled to add both Brent and Michael to our group as we see both of them having a huge impact on our AFLW program,” Harvey said.
“Both bring different skillsets which we see as being hugely beneficial to the program as we look to further develop our young and exciting list and strive for team success.
“Under Cam’s leadership we are excited about where this coaching group can take our group and can’t wait to get the 2024 AFLW season started.”
The GIANTS’ AFLW side will kickstart their 2024 campaign with an exciting opening round clash with the Western Bulldogs in Canberra on Saturday, August 31.
Don’t miss out on being part of an exciting AFLW season, with tickets now on sale.
