The Western Bulldogs are delighted to announce that Brendon Lade will join the club as an assistant coach from 2023. 

Lade has significant playing and coaching experience in the AFL and will take charge of the Bulldogs’ midfield brigade, where he will also work closely with Marc Webb, who will focus his attention on stoppages and opposition strategy, along with other key coaching program responsibilities.

A former Port Adelaide best and fairest and two-time All Australian, Lade played 234 games for the Power, winning a premiership in 2004. 

The 46-year-old began his coaching journey in 2010 immediately following his retirement, joining Richmond as an assistant coach alongside former teammate Damien Hardwick. 

After seven seasons at the Tigers, Lade returned to Port Adelaide for a further two seasons, taking the reins as an assistant coach at Alberton.

In 2019, Lade was appointed as a Senior Assistant at the St Kilda Football Club, relocating his family back to Melbourne and coaching the forward and midfield lines across two seasons.

During 2022, Lade temporarily stepped into the senior coaching chair with Brett Ratten missing due to COVID, leading the Saints to a win over Gold Coast in Round 5. 

Bulldogs Director of Football Chris Grant said Lade will be a fantastic addition to the Club’s coaching department. 

“Brendon is a highly respected, experienced coach and person, having been involved in successful teams throughout his time in the industry as a player and now coach over the past 12 years,” Grant said.

“His extensive coaching and playing background will be invaluable for our players, whilst also bolstering our already highly-skilled coaching panel.

"We're very pleased to be adding additional and experienced resourcing to our existing coaching panel, which will only enhance the Club’s ability to continue to develop and educate our player group for next year and beyond.  

“We’re excited to have Brendon on board and welcome him and his family to the Western Bulldogs.”

Lade said he was pleased to land at VU Whitten Oval and couldn’t wait to start with the Bulldogs.

“The Western Bulldogs continues to be a really successful club and I’m excited by this fresh opportunity,” Lade said.

“I’ve been extremely lucky to work at some amazing football clubs and hope my experience helps assist the great environment that Luke and the coaching group have created at the club.”

“I’m joining the Club at a very exciting time and I’m looking forward to meeting all the staff and players over the coming weeks.”