Hawthorn has revealed that hampered ruckman Max Lynch will work as a development coach with the club's AFLW squad for the side's upcoming season.
Lynch has joined a new and experienced coaching brigade at Bunjil Bagora for the eighth season of the Women's competition, with the 24-year-old to work under senior coach Bec Goddard and head of development Keegan Brooksby for the 2023 campaign.
The Hawthorn ruckman is currently sidelined for the remainder of the AFL season due to an ongoing battle with a concussion, with Lynch having last played in Round 6 - his only game of the year - before being placed on the club's inactive list in May.
The 11-gamer will share his time between rehabilitation and working with the club's AFLW side, which Goddard will lead for the third season.
Brooksby has moved to his new role after being Hawthorn's strategy & opposition coach, with Lynch and Kathryn Chatelier, who recently worked as a development coach with Gold Coast, joining the development sector at the Hawks.
Goddard has also found a new assistant in former Western Bulldogs forward Ben Cavarra, who has been appointed as Hawthorn's backline coach and will share his role with his playing commitments at Box Hill in the VFL.
Cavarra joins Lou Wotton (forwards) and David Mackay (midfield) as an assistant coach with Hawthorn.
The Hawks have unveiled former Melbourne Rebels Women's Coach Alana Thomas as a development and tackling coach. Thomas brings with her experience from her time with the Wallaroos.
Lastly, Hawthorn have confirmed dual Olympic medallist Jenni Screen will take on the role as AFLW Player Development Manager.
“We're thrilled to be building upon the foundations we set last year with our staff and coaching panel,” Hawks football boss Max Bailey said.
“With a mix of AFL and AFLW expertise, rugby union experience and even Olympic nous - our players are in the right hands to take the next step in their professionalism and AFLW journey.”
The 2023 AFLW season is scheduled to commence from the opening weekend of September.
