Adelaide AFL Women's (AFLW) dual premiership coach Matthew Clarke has announced that he will step down after the upcoming season.
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04-03, 2025Clarke has been the coach of the Adelaide Crows women's team since 2018, but he stated that after next season, he believes it is the right time to hand over the job. He emphasized that this decision is in the best interests of the team in the medium and long term.
“Leading this team has been the most enjoyable experience of my 30-plus years in football,” Clarke said in a statement on Thursday. He added, "It will be incredibly difficult to leave this role, but my experiences both inside and outside the game tell me this decision is best for the team's medium and long-term future." Clarke also stated that he loves football and will always remain connected to the sport, but the specific form that will take is yet to be determined. Currently, his focus is very clear: to fully commit to this season and give the players, staff, and Crows supporters the opportunity to experience another great AFLW season.
Clarke will coach the Crows for his eighth season, having won premierships in 2019 and 2022, and reaching the preliminary final six times. The 51-year-old coach, affectionately nicknamed "Doc" due to his qualification as a veterinarian, had a distinguished AFL career, playing 258 games for the Brisbane Lions, Adelaide, and St Kilda from 1993 to 2007. After retiring, he served as Adelaide's AFL ruck coach while also leading the women's team, until stepping down from the men's role in recent seasons.
Crows Chief Executive Officer Tim Silvers stated, "Doc's contribution to the development and improvement of the women's game and its professionalism has been immense." He added, "He has been one of the most influential figures since the inception of the AFLW. While we are naturally saddened that Doc will be stepping down later this year, we understand and respect his decision."
