Recently re-signed AFLW coach Nathan Burke says entering full-time status will provide the opportunity to achieve more within the program.
Becoming one of seven AFLW coaches now employed full-time at their respective clubs, Burke will use the additional hours to focus more on the individual needs of each player across the week, while looking and planning ahead.
“There were so many additional things last year that I wanted to do as coach,” Burke said.
“You cover off the big rocks as such, but there’s so much more you can do with the players - particularly narrowing down what they need as individuals - which you just don’t get time to because you’re looking after the whole group.
“Those extra hours in the week will allow me to do that, and also to look forward a little bit more.
“You’re pretty much pedalling to keep up with the day-to-day, so the fact I’ll now be able to pull myself out of that and plan ahead to look at the future of AFLW, making sure we’re on the right path to be successful in that future, that’s what this allows me to do.”
He said the Bulldogs’ quest to win two premierships by the year 2025 is still alive too.
“2x25 is still the ultimate – but we want to do it in a really sustainable way,” Burke said.
“There will come a point when Granty taps me on the shoulder and says ‘Thanks Burkey’ – that happens to every coach – but when that point comes, I want whoever takes over to not have to rebuild.
“As the custodian of the program as such, I want to make sure we’re successful on the field and thriving off-field – at the forefront of every innovation, technology and coaching idea that possibly comes into AFLW.”
Burke will lead the AFLW Bulldogs for at least another two seasons, taking him through until the end of 2024.