Jordan Roughead has joined the Western Bulldogs’ AFLW side as an assistant coach.
Roughead has been handed the AFLW forward line portfolio for the upcoming season and will share the expertise gained from 126 AFL games with a young and developing group led by Dogs captain Katie Brennan.
The 27-year-old had been assisting new General Manager of Women’s Football, Debbie Lee, at the VU Spurs for the past two seasons and a post-season chat with AFLW Head Coach Paul Groves opened the door to a new role.
“We had a few little discussions and it turned out he was looking for an assistant coach to look after the forwards,” Roughead told westernbulldogs.com.au.
“With Debbie Lee transitioning across from Melbourne in the off-season it was a little bit of worlds collide.
“It felt like a good opportunity and something I’d enjoy doing.”
Roughead, who was named in the Bulldogs’ Leadership Group in November, said the experience would be important to his development not only as a player but also as a person.
“I enjoy helping people improve whether that’s inside of footy or outside of footy,” Roughead said.
“I think it makes me enjoy footy more, because I’m not a player that was blessed with a high level of skills from an early age. I’ve had to work hard to get the opportunities that I’ve had.
“To then be able to impart some of my knowledge in my nine years’ experience playing AFL footy is a great opportunity and a good way to help out.”
2018 Coaching Panel
Senior coach: Paul Groves
Forwards coach: Jordan Roughead
Backs coach: Dave Bartlett
Midfield coach: Scott Whyte
Opposition coach: Tim Killworth
Head of Development Academy: Andrew Shakespeare
Development Coach: Esther Hassett
Development Coach: Jayden Shea
