FORMER three-club AFLW player Kate McCarthy has joined Western Bulldogs as forwards coach.

The Dogs have a strong track record in promoting and supporting female coaches, with Essendon coach Natalie Wood, Fremantle coach Lisa Webb, Geelong Falcons coach Melissa Hickey and Kirby Bentley having come through the club.

McCarthy was an inaugural Brisbane player, recording 23 games over three seasons, before joining St Kilda for its first season. She added a further 16 games across the next three AFLW seasons, before her three games at Hawthorn ended her career tally at 42.

She is also a noted radio special comments caller, and has been a VFLW player-assistant at the Dogs this year.

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The Bulldogs have had to completely revamp their AFLW coaching panel under Nathan Burke this year, with Hickey, Webb and Dylan Roberton (Casey Demons VFL) all moving on.

Former Carlton AFLW forwards coach Matt Skubis will take charge of the backline, with Shaun Campbell in charge of stoppages. Bulldogs AFL player Josh Bruce will continue in a development coaching role, with ex-premiership Dog Nicky Callinan staying on as player development manager.

Josh Bruce looks on before the AFLW practice match between the Western Bulldogs and GWS at Whitten Oval on August 13, 2022. Picture: Getty Images

"We're thrilled to have appointed three quality people and experienced coaches to our AFLW program in Kate, Matt and Shaun," Western Bulldogs head of footy Chris Grant said.

"We've witnessed Kate's abilities first-hand as an assistant coach in our VFLW program this season and look forward to seeing what more she can bring to our senior women's side.

"Matt brings plenty of experience, including working with female athletes and players at the highest national level, making him a clear standout in the recruiting process.

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"We are also excited to welcome Shaun to the program in a new role as stoppage coach. As a club, we are very committed to providing coaches who have been performing at a high level outside the traditional state and national pathways with opportunities to continue their development with us at AFL level."

McCarthy joins a growing number of former AFLW players having made the jump to coaching ranks this year, with clubs having so far publicly confirmed Marijana Rajcic (Adelaide), Sam Virgo (Port Adelaide), Lauren Tesoriero, Emma Grant (both Richmond) and Tanya Hetherington (Sydney) have joined Webb and Power senior coach Lauren Arnell in coaches boxes around the country.