UPDATE
The Crows have since confirmed Bec Goodard won't return as coach. The club released the following statement:
Adelaide’s Bec Goddard has returned to Canberra to pursue her law enforcement career and will not continue in her current role as AFLW Senior Coach.
Goddard had been living in South Australia and was managing her coaching commitments while maintaining her long-held role with the Australian Federal Police.
“I feel very privileged to have coached Adelaide’s AFLW team for the past two seasons,” Goddard said.
“It has been an honour to work with this playing group and I’ll always be proud of what we achieved and grateful to the Adelaide Football Club for the opportunity.”
Goddard was appointed Senior Coach in August 2016 after the Crows were granted an inaugural AFLW licence.
The 39-year-old goes down in history as the first elite national women’s premiership coach after steering the Crows to a six-point win over Brisbane in the 2017 Grand Final.
“I’m really looking forward to coaching men’s football with the Canberra Demons in the NEAFL in the coming months and I’m hopeful that one day I will have the opportunity to work in football full time,” Goddard said.
Crows CEO Andrew Fagan praised Goddard for her achievements during her tenure.
“Bec has been instrumental in establishing our AFLW program and will always be part of the Crows family,” Fagan said.
“She delivered a premiership and also inspired a generation of young girls and women to consider a professional sporting career in football, or even be a supporter and follow the game we all love.
“In a perfect world, we would love to have seen Bec continue in her coaching role but equally understand the decision she has made.
"We will always be grateful for her work both on and off the field in establishing such a strong platform for us to continue to grow the women’s game, and we wish her all the best for her future endeavours.”
The Club will embark upon a search for a replacement in the coming weeks.
EARLIER
SEN Time On host Sam McClure has reported there is growing unrest between Adelaide Crows AFLW coach Bec Goddard and the club.
“I’m not sure if Bec Goddard will be coaching the Adelaide Crows next season,” the SEN newsman told SEN Breakfast.
“I can tell you these two things as facts.
“There has been unrest between Bec Goddard and players that she coaches. There has been unrest with Bec Goddard and at least one senior administrator at the Adelaide Crows.
“It started late yesterday afternoon that there were murmurings surrounding their premiership coach Bec Goddard.
“Since yesterday evening and now, I haven’t been able to get in touch with anyone from the Adelaide Crows. The AFL is unaware of the situation."
Goddard has been one of the key figures in the inaugural two seasons of AFLW, as she coached a Crows team that was split between Adelaide and Darwin in the first year of the league to a flag.
Adelaide superstar Erin Phillips has also been rumoured to depart the club, with Collingwood mentioned as a potential destination.
