Brett gourley

[Yappie dribbles]

We have today announced north vflw back to back premership coach Brett gourley as senior assistant

Great get

 

[TigermanM2]

Exclusive

VFLW premiership coach joins Tigers' coaching ranks​

Brett Gourley joins Richmond as a full-time senior assistant in its new-look AFLW program

Gemma Bastiani

Australian Football League. All the latest AFL news, video, results and information

www.afl.com.au

By Gemma Bastiani
May 4, 2026, 4:08 pm

Brett Gourley poses for a photo during the VFL/W 2026 Season Launch at Whitten Oval. Picture: AFL Photos

RICHMOND has appointed two-time VFLW premiership coach Brett Gourley as a full-time senior assistant in its new-look AFLW program.

Following an internal review into the program at the end of 2025, the Tigers have already appointed head of footy Jane Woodlands-Thompson and head coach Jarrad Donders as they aim to return to finals after some lean years.

Gourley has coached North Melbourne-Werribee in the VFLW for the last two seasons, leading the side to back-to-back flags as part of a strong broader women's program at the club.

He was also appointed the VFLW coach for the now-annual state game against the SANFLW as part of the AFL's Gather Round in the last two years.

North Melbourne VFLW premiership coach Brett Gourley has been appointed the inaugural coach of the rebel VFLW State Team. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

Prior to taking over the top job at the Roos, Gourley served as head of development.

"I'm incredibly thankful for North Melbourne's unwavering commitment to women's football and its focus on developing good people, not just good players," Gourley told North Melbourne media upon the announcement.

"I've made lifelong memories here and while I'm looking forward to the new opportunity ahead, I'll always value my time with this group."

 

[toenail63]

Exclusive

VFLW premiership coach joins Tigers' coaching ranks​

Brett Gourley joins Richmond as a full-time senior assistant in its new-look AFLW program

Gemma Bastiani

Australian Football League. All the latest AFL news, video, results and information

www.afl.com.au

By Gemma Bastiani
May 4, 2026, 4:08 pm

Brett Gourley poses for a photo during the VFL/W 2026 Season Launch at Whitten Oval. Picture: AFL Photos

RICHMOND has appointed two-time VFLW premiership coach Brett Gourley as a full-time senior assistant in its new-look AFLW program.

Following an internal review into the program at the end of 2025, the Tigers have already appointed head of footy Jane Woodlands-Thompson and head coach Jarrad Donders as they aim to return to finals after some lean years.

Gourley has coached North Melbourne-Werribee in the VFLW for the last two seasons, leading the side to back-to-back flags as part of a strong broader women's program at the club.

He was also appointed the VFLW coach for the now-annual state game against the SANFLW as part of the AFL's Gather Round in the last two years.

North Melbourne VFLW premiership coach Brett Gourley has been appointed the inaugural coach of the rebel VFLW State Team. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

Prior to taking over the top job at the Roos, Gourley served as head of development.

"I'm incredibly thankful for North Melbourne's unwavering commitment to women's football and its focus on developing good people, not just good players," Gourley told North Melbourne media upon the announcement.

"I've made lifelong memories here and while I'm looking forward to the new opportunity ahead, I'll always value my time with this group."

Well done Tiges. A welcome addition to the Richmond AFLW coaching ranks. He's highly regarded that's for sure.

Always good to bring in a high calibre coach into your program to assist your senior coach and is also from a successful one.

You find that setting good people at the top of leadership has the bonus that it helps with your development within of the less experienced coaches beneath them. Maybe one of them to coach a Richmond VFLW team at some stage

 

[toenail63]

 

[Phar Ace]

Well done Tiges. A welcome addition to the Richmond AFLW coaching ranks. He's highly regarded that's for sure.

Always good to bring in a high calibre coach into your program to assist your senior coach and is also from a successful one.

You find that setting good people at the top of leadership has the bonus that it helps with your development within of the less experienced coaches beneath them. Maybe one of them to coach a Richmond VFLW team at some stage

An intriguing move by Gourley.

 

[toenail63]

An intriguing move by Gourley.

Rhys Harwood who we interviewed, and later pulled out of any senior opportunity elsewhere instead took a internal promotion to be Senior Assistant Coach at AFLW level at Kangas, as well as their AFLW captain Emma Kearney coaching in their mens program being groomed to transition at the end of this year, you'd think limited opportunity for a senior role there may have something to do with it.