After a successful season coaching the ThunderW team to finals in its inaugural season, Adelaide has finalised its coaching panel for the 2019 AFLW season naming Tim Weatherald as an Assistant Coach.

Weatherald join Crows past players Andrew McLeod and Peter Caven, and opposition analyst Brooke Copeland, along with Narelle Smith who will work under senior coach Matthew Clarke for the competition’s third season.

Weatherald has been living in Darwin since 2014 and coached the Waratah Football Club in the NTFL and was an assistant coach of the NT Thunder men’s team. He played 311 games with Sturt and Norwood in the SANFL and won the Magarey Medal in 2002.

Weatherald will continue to be based in Darwin as part of Adelaide’s successful partnership with AFLNT leading the elite development squad and providing continuity between the VFLW and AFLW seasons. He replaces Andrew Hodges who has elected to focus on his position as head coach of the NT Thunder’s NEAFL men’s side.

Crows Head of Football Administration Phil Harper said Weatherald was a fantastic addition to the Club’s AFLW coaching panel along with newcomer Smith.

“Tim already has strong knowledge of many of our players through his work with the Northern Territory Thunder’s VFLW side this year.

“He is passionate about the women’s game and will play a particularly important role in the development of our players and other talented players based in Darwin.

“Narelle has a wealth of football experience both as a coach and a player and has been instrumental in the establishment of the women’s game in South Australia,” Harper said.

“She has previously coached a number of our players and her passion and knowledge for the game will be of great benefit to our squad.

“We’re thrilled to have them both join our coaching panel and believe they can provide valuable expertise as we continue to build on our women’s football program.”

Harper also thanked Hodges and fellow assistant Mark Moody, who is departing to pursue other opportunities, for their significant contributions.

“Both Andrew and Mark were key parts of the coaching panel which led the Club to the inaugural AFLW premiership and were extremely valued members of our team,” he said.

“We thank them both for all they have done to help us establishing our successful women’s football program.”