NEWS NOW: Former Hawthorn AFLW defender has returned to the club, promising to…
Mackenzie Eardley is not your typical AFLW player.
Not only is she juggling her burgeoning career as a Hawthorn defender, but she has also recently been named head coach of the Dandenong Stingrays’ U16 Boys squad.
After serving as an U18 Girls Development Coach last year, the 19-year-old will now lead a young boys’ brigade in 2024.
With a practice match under her belt, Eardley is relishing the challenge that this new chance brings.
“We’ve been together for about three months now and as we’ve developed over time, the boys have gained a level of trust and respect with me,” she said.
“We’ve been together for about three months now and as we’ve developed over time, the boys have gained a level of trust and respect with me,” she said.
“They’re a great group of boys. They’re exciting.
“I’ve definitely gotten lucky with my team, they’ve all got so much potential and they’re so fun to work with.”
Eardley has quickly formed close bonds with her players.
She believes this is one of the most crucial aspects of coaching.
“As a coach, I know it’s important to build a relationship with your players to a point where they’re able to trust what I say and respect what I’m saying,” he says.
“At the same time, they may come to me if they have any questions about drills or whatever.
“I think it’s really important that we have an honest relationship, that’s what I try to have at the moment with my boys.”
Eardley’s teaching not only helps her athletes progress, but it also helps her advance in the AFLW rankings.
Having only begun her second year of teaching, the defender believes she now has a better knowledge of how her Hawthorn coaches think.
“I think my coaching experience helps me understand things to do and things to say in training, when’s a good time to speak and when’s a good time to let the coach speak,” Eardley said.
“I believe my teaching contributes to a better comprehension of drills.
“When we perform certain drills, they have a clear goal, and I can really focus on that, whereas before, I probably tried to overthink everything and do everything at once.
“I think it just helps me better understand what the coaches are saying and where they’re coming from a lot of the time.”
