FRESH from taking his side through an undefeated NAB AFLW season, Fremantle's Trent Cooper has been named the AFLCA AFLW Coach of the Year.
In an award voted upon by his peers, Cooper won ahead of Carlton coach and 2019 winner Daniel Harford and first-year Collingwood leader Steve Symonds.
Criteria considered included the 2020 season's performance, available resources, player talent and team management.
Fremantle finished the shortened AFLW season with six straight wins and a demolition of a weary Gold Coast by 70 points in their semi-final, the second-largest victory in AFLW history.
The Dockers were due to play Melbourne in a preliminary final before the season was halted due to the coronavirus outbreak.
"Whilst it’s disappointing for Trent and his Dockers that they didn’t get to finish the season, their undefeated season and huge semi-final win has resulted in Trent being recognised by his peers and awarded the 2020 AFL Coaches Association AFLW Senior Coach of the Year," AFLCA CEO Mark Brayshaw said.
"On behalf of the association, I congratulate Trent on his team's performances and personal achievement in 2020."
Cooper – who coached Western Australia's girls under-18 side before Fremantle – has a very impressive record as Dockers coach since taking the reins from Michelle Cowan at the end of 2018.
Under his charge, Fremantle has won 12 games and lost just two, one of which was the 2019 preliminary final.
The Dockers are also undefeated at Fremantle Oval since Cooper has been at the helm.
