Long-serving Western Bulldogs coach and development and operations manager Chris Maple will depart the Club.

Maple leaves VU Whitten Oval after 14 years of outstanding service, across several areas within the Club’s football department.

“Chris’ contribution to the Western Bulldogs, in particular our AFL men’s program, has been highly valued throughout his journey with us.  This includes his involvement in our player development program, his various coaching roles, and his more recent operational responsibilities,” said Bulldogs’ Director of Football, Chris Grant.

“Chris has been a valuable contributor to the on-field success of our men’s teams and played a key off-field role in our run of AFL finals appearances, including the AFL Premiership in 2016 and our run to the Grand Final in 2021.

“Whilst it is always difficult to see any long-serving colleague depart, we support his decision to spend more time with his wife Tania and his boys, including a closer daily involvement in his local Ballarat community. 

“On behalf of the Club, I would like to thank Chris for his outstanding level of commitment over such a sustained period and wish him well for the future.”

Maple first arrived at the Bulldogs in 2009 as a development coach, before taking on the role as coach of Footscray in the first year of its re-launch as a standalone VFL team, finishing with a VFL premiership in his first year at the helm.

He continued as Head of Development in 2015 and 2016, before moving into football operations roles from 2017 until this year.

“I would like to thank the Western Bulldogs for the opportunity it gave me 14 seasons ago to join an amazing club, which became my second home,” Maple said.

“I wish the players and staff all the best for the 2023 season and beyond, and I look forward to supporting the Club from afar.”