AFLW coach fired by Bulldogs following disastrous season in which team finished bottom of the table
The Western Bulldogs have fired AFLW coach Nathan Burke after a one-win season.
Burke paid the price for the Bulldogs, a foundation club, finishing last on the ladder as expansion clubs Essendon and Sydney overtook them to reach the finals.
“He became our first full-time coach after leading the team to finals at the end of 2022, and has developed strong relationships with his staff and players during his tenure,” Ameet Bains, the chief executive officer of the Bulldog
“After giving it some thought, the club has decided to take a different approach going into the upcoming season as we aim for long-term success in every facet of our women’s football program.”
A lengthy and persistent injury list did not help the former St Kilda champion, but he did not use it as an excuse.
“We’re not in good enough shape. “I told the girls in there, we’re not going to make excuses for that because I think there are probably things outside of injuries, within our control, that would make us fitter,” Burke said following the Saints’ round-five loss.
“It is no longer sufficient to simply comprehend the degree of professionalism needed; skipping an ice bath or eating poorly is unacceptable.”
The Bulldogs’ only victory of the season came in round nine, when they defeated West Coast by eight points.
Burke was named coach ahead of the 2020 AFLW season after leading the club for five seasons and reaching the elimination final last year.
The 53-year-old succeeded Paul Groves, who led the club to the AFLW premiership in 2018.
In a statement, Burke said, “I walk away content knowing that I was able to live my purpose of making a difference in other people’s lives thanks to the Western Bulldogs.”
“I’d also like to thank the people of the West for welcoming me into your club.” I hope success is on the way for you.”
Burke made light of his dismissal after it became official on Wednesday.
In the coming weeks, the Bulldogs will consider making additional changes to the women’s football program and will begin the process of selecting the next coach
