AFLW shock as Blues ‘part ways’ with coach after five seasons as damning review released

Carlton has parted ways with AFLW coach Daniel Harford after five seasons in charge of the club’s women’s team.

The Blues on Tuesday night confirmed Harford and the club had split following the completion of an independent review into Carlton’s AFLW program.

A key recommendation of the review and “undisputed need” going forward, according to Blues president Luke Sayers, was for the AFLW senior coach to be full-time — and the Blues said Harford was “unable to service the role in a full-time capacity”, hence the decision to part ways.

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Carlton and Daniel Harford have parted ways. Picture: Daniel PockettSource: Getty Images

Harford led the Blues to a grand final appearance in 2019 and a semi-final win in 2020. But after three consecutive seasons of missing finals, including a 2-6-2 record in Season 7, the Blues instigated an independent review of the club’s AFLW program.

Sayers said the review’s main intent was to “identify barriers to on-field success, ensure we are set up to not only improve the overall performance of the team but establish ourselves for the long-term as the competition evolves”.

“Having met with our board of directors and receiving a full briefing of the report, it was evident through the findings that in order for us as a club to achieve our objective of this review, changes within the AFLW football program were required, including the senior coach position,” Sayers said.

“The review has found that there are some key barriers to success, relating to systems, culture, coaching structures and insufficient leadership to support and drive professionalism and elite behaviours.

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“One of the key findings of the review related to the undisputed need for the senior coach position to be full-time. Based on this requirement, as well as a number of key findings in relation to the performance of the program, discussions held with Daniel Harford identified that the decision would be made to part ways.

“On behalf of the Board and entire football club, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Daniel for his commitment over the past five seasons and for the contribution he has made to our football club, including an inaugural Grand Final appearance in 2019.”

Harford is a busy man in the footy media, most notably his radio role as host of RSN’s breakfast program. He’s also provided expert comments for 3AW on AFL games, as well as appeared on Fox Footy for some AFLW matches, in recent years.

Harford played 153 games for Hawthorn across nine seasons before a nine-game year for Carlton in 2004.