THE CASEY Demons have appointed a new VFLW coach, with Peter Mercoulia set to lead the team for the 2021 season.

It will be the first senior role for Mercoulia, who has assisted Melbourne’s AFLW side since the beginning of the women’s competition – a position he will continue alongside the new gig next year.  

Casey will also have two other coaches from the Dees on board, with former player Brooke Patterson and the highly regarded Tamara Hyett rounding out its coaching panel.

AFLW/VFLW Football Operations Manager Daniel McPherson said there will be plenty of benefit to the streamlined approach.

“This is a great opportunity for Pete to further his coaching development, taking the reins of his own team,” he told Melbourne Media.

“Together with Tamara and Brooke, this will continue to strengthen the alignment between the Melbourne AFLW program and the Casey Demons VFLW program.

“Pete is also our AFLW midfield assistant coach, and Tamara and Brooke are two of our development coaches, so these dual roles will ensure our players receive consistent coaching across both teams throughout the 2021 seasons.”

Mercoulia joined Melbourne at the end of 2016, earning a spot as one of the club’s first AFLW assistant coaches.

Prior to this, he worked with the Oakleigh Chargers, Glen Iris, and St Paul’s football clubs, while he was also involved with Springvale/Casey.

Mercoulia takes over the role from Damien Keeping, who joined the club in 2018.

The VFLW season will run alongside the AFLW competition next year, having been brought forward to begin in February. Fixture details are yet to be finalised.