North Melbourne Tasmania Kangaroos AFLW Senior Coach DARREN CROCKER has been crowned as the 2024 AFL Coaches Association AFLW Senior Coach of the Year.
Crocker, who has led the North Melbourne women’s team since 2021, has won his first Senior Coach of the Year Award with 43 votes and is taking his team to their second consecutive Grand Final appearance this weekend, as they hunt for their elusive maiden AFLW Premiership.
The Kangaroos were the dominant side of the 2024 AFLW season, finishing with 10 wins, 0 losses and one draw and a finals campaign where they have been able to, so far, fight off every challenge that has been thrown their way.
Crocker’s team will be looking to atone for last year’s Grand Final loss to Brisbane when the teams play in the decider again this weekend.
Crocker was deemed to be the best-performed Senior Coach throughout the 2024 AFLW Season, up to and including the preliminary final, with voting based on his team’s current season's performance, available resources, player talent and team management.
Second place went to opposing Grand Final coach Craig Starcevich on 30 votes and third place to Port Adelaide’s Lauren Arnell on 13 votes.
Crocker acknowledged the entire AFLW program in accepting the award.
“This award has everyone in our program’s fingerprints on it,” Crocker said.
“So, thank you to our whole program and thank you to the other coaches and AFL Coaches Association for the recognition.”
AFL Coaches Association CEO, Alistair Nicholson, congratulated Crocker on his season.
“What a great season for Crock and a wonderful recognition of his coaching performances.”
“Crock is always looking to improve himself and his team, and for the second year has got his team to the AFLW Grand Final,” Nicholson said.
“I applaud him and his coaching team for their season and being recognised by his peers with this Award.”
