Western Bulldogs AFLW assistant coach Mel Hickey will depart the Club after being provided an opportunity with the Geelong Falcons as their new Head Coach for the 2023 NAB League Girls season.
Hickey has spent two seasons as the AFLW Bulldogs’ backline coach, after serving as head coach of the Vic Country U19s Girls’ Program and assistant coach of both the Geelong Falcons’ boys and girls teams last year.
She was also named coach of the 2021 AFLW U19 Championships All Australian team.
“I’ve loved every moment of my time at the Club, and have really enjoyed the opportunity to be an assistant coach at the Bulldogs,” Hickey said.
“I’ve been so well supported from Burkey, and was given such a great environment to learn and grow as a coach.
“My goal is to eventually work full-time in football as an AFLW head coach – so this role feels like the next stepping stone for me in that journey.
“As players would know it’s a challenge to work two jobs part-time, so the opportunity to be a full-time coach at Geelong Falcons was an offer I couldn’t say no to.
“It’s been a joy to work at the Bulldogs – when I finished playing I wasn’t too sure where I‘d end up, so to have been embraced fully by all the staff and players here was wonderful.
“We developed a really tight-knit unit down back, and as much as I’ll miss them and the entire playing group, I’m equally excited to see what they will achieve in seasons to come.”
Bulldogs’ Head of Football, Chris Grant, wished Hickey all the best in her new role.
“As disappointing as it is to lose Mel from our women’s football program and wider Club, we couldn’t be happier for the opportunity she has been given at the Geelong Falcons,” Grant said.
“Mel has played a lead role in the development of our backline structure and performance across the past two seasons, including being instrumental in the rapid improvement and emergence of individual players under her tuition.
“We’re extremely pleased to have played a part in Mel’s ongoing coaching development and wish her all the best in her new senior coaching position with the Falcons.”
Prior to moving into coaching, Hickey represented both Melbourne (2017-18) and Geelong (2019-20) in the AFLW, combining for 25 career games.
She was selected in the 2017 AFLW All Australian team, serving as the Cats’ inaugural captain in 2019, and was a seven-time state-league premiership player with the Darebin Falcons.
The Bulldogs will begin their search for a replacement AFLW assistant coach shortly.
