Daniel Webster is named the next AFLW coach by Hawthorn.

Daniel Webster was named the AFLW coach by Hawthorn, who stated that he was the obvious option to succeed the late Bec Goddard.

Two days after the Western Bulldogs fired Nathan Burke, Goddard abruptly announced her resignation in November of that year.

Hawthorn had a difficult first two seasons as an expansion club, winning just six of their 20 games under Goddard’s direction.

For the previous two seasons, Webster oversaw Brisbane’s AFLW midfield unit, which assisted the Lions in winning the 2023 flag.

In addition to overseeing the Queensland State Academies and the Lions Academy, Webster has over ten years of experience coaching in the NEAFL and State League.

Hawthorn football operations manager Max Bailey stated in a statement, “Daniel emerged as the clear choice from a very competitive field of candidates following an exceptionally thorough and demanding process.”

“Daniel wowed us with his great tactical knowledge and grasp of the game, his ability to create good relationships with his players, and his strong communication skills,” the statement reads. “More recently, he oversaw maybe the strongest midfield group in the AFLW.”

As the new AFLW coach at Hawthorn, Webster expressed his gratitude and humility.

“From afar Hawthorn has always been a club I’ve respected much, and I am now privileged to be part of the brown and gold family,” Webster said.

“I am incredibly appreciative to have been entrusted with the duty of promoting elite standards, competitive conduct, and extracting the maximum potential from an incredibly gifted AFLW playing group that has demonstrated incredible promise.”