AHEAD of Melbourne's maiden Grand Final appearance, Mick Stinear has been named the AFL Coaches Association AFLW Senior Coach of the Year.

Stinear is an inaugural AFLW coach, having taken the reins at the Demons ahead of the 2017 season, and will coach his 50th AFLW match this weekend.

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In a peer-voted award, Stinear won ahead of fellow Grand Final coach Matthew Clarke (Adelaide), with Brisbane's Craig Starcevich (last year's winner) and first-year Gold Coast leader Cameron Joyce tying for third.

The vote is based on the season's performance, the resources available to the coach, player talent and team management.

"It's clear that Mick has been creating a wonderful culture and environment at the Demons over the last six years, that combined with his coaching performances this season have not only resulted in the Demons first Grand Final appearance this weekend, but also in being recognised by his fellow AFLW Coaches as the 2022 AFLCA AFLW Senior Coach of the Year," AFLCA CEO Alastair Nicholson said.

"From all at the AFLCA we congratulate Mick on his season and winning this award."

Stinear said he was "humbled" to win the award.

"I see this as a reflection of our whole program, and the relationships the players, coaches and staff have built across the past six years," Stinear said.

"I love and appreciate this group so much, and I’m very grateful for what I get to do on a daily basis."

Melbourne skipper Daisy Pearce was the one who broke the news to Stinear.

"We’ve always known that Mick is the coach of the year," Pearce said. 

"Since day dot, he has just been the best coach for us. I speak on behalf of the group when I say that we are just so grateful for what we have in Mick."

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