AFLW coaches under pressure as competition reaches midway point

The AFLW competition has reached its midway point, with several storylines emerging as surprises and others playing out as expected.

One of the biggest questions being asked is whether pressure will mount on coaches of winless teams, with Essendon and St Kilda struggling to secure their first win of the season.

Coaching pressure mounts

Essendon's 41-point loss to Gold Coast on Sunday has raised doubts about the future of head coach Natalie Wood, who is the club's inaugural coach.

"Will Essendon win a game this year?" was a question being asked by fans around the boundary fence on Sunday afternoon.

Last year, Essendon finished 14th with four wins and eight losses, but escaped scrutiny due to a high injury toll.

This year, fans expected improvement, but the team's only goal against the Suns came from Emily Gough.

St Kilda also remains without a win and has a percentage of just 36.5, with head coach Nick Dal Santo in his sixth season at the helm.

The team's performance has been poor, with losses to Geelong, North Melbourne, and a one-goal game against Sydney.

Collingwood's struggles continue

Collingwood, the inaugural AFLW side, continues to struggle, with another year at the bottom end of the ladder.

Sam Wright took over as head coach ahead of the 2024 season and re-signed until the end of 2027, amid media reports of player concern about the lack of direction in the club's AFLW program.

Wood and Dal Santo are both out of contract at season's end, with some suggesting that Collingwood, Essendon, and St Kilda may need to review their AFLW programs.

North Melbourne's winning streak ends

Hawthorn's win over North Melbourne on Friday night sent shockwaves through the competition, ending the Kangaroos' 32-match winning streak.

The unbeaten run, which dated back to 2023, was the longest in AFL/VFL/AFLW history.

Hawthorn's win, led by a clutch goal from Lucy Wales, has blown the premiership race wide open.

Umpiring issues

Umpiring has been an issue in the AFLW this season, with fans expressing frustration with decisions.

Ray Chamberlain, a retired AFL umpire, returned to help officiate and mentor the next generation of umpires.

"You want to do it well and you want to support what they're doing," Chamberlain said.

Surprise teams emerge

The Gold Coast Suns and Western Bulldogs have emerged as surprise teams, with the Suns enjoying a strong season led by teenagers from their academy.

The Bulldogs have also turned their season around, with a strong pre-season and performances from players like Isabelle Pritchard, Emma McDonald, and Jess Fitzgerald.