The Brisbane Lions are excited to announce Ryan Davis as their new AFLW Assistant coach ahead of the 2024 AFLW Season.
Growing up in Sydney, Davis was drafted to the West Coast Eagles in 2008 playing 14 games before being re-drafted by the Gold Coast SUNS in 2016 where he added another 21 AFL games.
Appointed the inaugural Southport Senior Women’s coach in 2020 following his playing days, Davis took the team to win two premierships (QAFAW).
Davis oversaw his side’s promotion to the QAFLW and made the QAFLW Grand Final in 2022 and was awarded the 2022 QAFLW Coach of the Year for his efforts.
“I’ve admired the Brisbane lions football club for a long time and have watched closely on what Craig and his team have been able to accomplish,” Davis said.
“To get the opportunity to work alongside Craig, Bree, Phil, Paul in a coaching capacity is something I am extremely grateful for and excited about.
“I am very much looking forward to meeting the entire playing group over the coming weeks as we start to prepare for the upcoming season.
“The midfield is a group is an extremely professional and driven group of players that I am really looking forward to working closely with them and adding layers to our game.”
In 2023 Ryan was assistant coach for the Qld women’s team against Tasmania in Hobart.
Brisbane Lions AFLW Senior Coach, Craig Starcevich, was excited to have Davis jump on board ahead of the Lions premiership defence in 2024.
“Ryan is fantastic addition to our coaching team,” Starcevich said.
“He’ll fit in beautifully with his recent involvement with the women’s program at Southport.
“Ryan brings with him a wealth of knowledge both from his playing days and coaching endeavours across men’s and women’s football.”
Davis played in a WAFL premiership with Swan Districts in 2010 and was best on ground for WA in a senior interstate game in 2015.
Following his stint at the SUNS, Davis moved to the Southport Sharks as a player/assistant coach in the men’s program where he played 44 senior games.
In the 2018 NEAFL Grand Final, playing for Southport, Davis was named the Andrew Ireland Medallist (Best on Ground).
Davis’ appointment follows the departure of former midfield coach, Daniel Webster who joined Hawthorn last month as AFLW Senior coach.
