Lauren Morecroft set to be named coach of Eastern Ranges Boys Under 18s in NAB League

It’s believed former AFLW player Lauren Morecroft is set to be named coach of the Eastern Ranges Boys.

She would replace ex-Collingwood and Western Bulldogs forward Travis Cloke, who has landed at Essendon as coach of its VFLW team.

Morecroft, 35, had been a stalwart player for Diamond Creek before the introduction of AFLW.

She linked with the Western Bulldogs in their initial AFLW season, and has since worked as an assistant coach for North Melbourne and Carlton in the national women’s league.

She also had a stint as a playing assistant coach with Essendon’s VFLW team.

Morecroft spoke of her coaching ambitions with the AFLPA website in 2019.

“I think it’s going to be really crucial to at least give the opportunity for players to see something to aspire to, and that’s us in club level,’’ she said.

“Also giving them a scholarship to aspire to might just push them further, so I think that’s really key. If there are more programs and scholarship opportunities, players will jump at it. You’ve just got to offer it. I see it definitely increasing.’’

Morecroft was on the Eastern Ranges’ coaching staff this year, in charge of the midfield players for the boys and girls teams.

Her ties with the Under 18 competition extend to 2015, when she was the Calder Cannons’ Under 15 and 16 Boys and Girls coach.

In 2018-19 she was part of the girls program and coach-mentor of the AFLW National Academy.

The Ranges are expected to lock in former Collingwood AFL assistant coach Ash Close as coach of its girls team.

In other NAB League coaching news:

Andrew Sturgess will steer the Calder Cannons Boys after departing VFL club Coburg, which has replaced him with former Collingwood AFL coaching staff member Jamie Cassidy-McNamara.

Former Collingwood star Anthony Rocca has taken charge of the Northern Knights Boys. Former Williamstown VFLW assistant Allana Dickie will guide the Girls.

Ex-Essendon assistant Rob Harding has landed at the Sandringham Dragons, succeeding Wayne Cripps, the new VFL coach for GWS.

In September the AFL announced that NAB League clubs would have separate boys and girls head coaches.

Previously the coaching position had covered both programs.

“Having equity in the way girls and boys pathway programs are resourced will benefit everyone involved, with a positive flow-on effect to community football as players, coaches continue their involvement in the grassroots game during and after their pathway experience,’’ AFL head of talent pathways Grant Williams said.