Liam Cavanagh will switch from the colours of Williamstown to the Western Bulldogs for this year’s Victorian Football League women’s season.
Cavanagh, who had coached the Seagulls VFLW side for the past three seasons, has been appointed the Bulldogs AFLW head of development for 2026.
He will be responsible for supporting the coaching team in developing AFLW-listed players and identified talent, while also serving as coach of the VFLW Bulldogs side to ensure alignment in game style and coaching philosophy.
He joins the Kennel after three years as coach of Williamstown VFLW, where he led the Seagulls to finals in every campaign as well as a minor premiership in 2024.
Across his three seasons, Cavanagh achieved a coaching record of 30 wins, 17 losses and two draws, and is credited with fast-tracking the development of the club’s emerging program.
In 2025, the Seagulls progressed to the second week of finals, yet fell short of a premiership after being defeated by reigning premiers North Melbourne-Werribee in Cavanagh’s last game at the helm.
He also founded Breakout Academy, which offers targeted sessions including athletic craft, development and strength and conditioning aimed at coaches and players, while on field he has finished runners-up in the Essendon District Football League premier division competition best and fairest the past two years while playing with Strathmore.
Bulldogs’ women’s football general manager Patrice Berthold was thrilled to welcome Cavanagh to the club.
“Liam brings a proven ability to lead teams and knows what it takes to help individuals reach their full potential,” she said.
“His understanding of athlete development will ensure we continue to nurture talent and build pathways for success, while his coaching experience will be instrumental in shaping the next generation of athletes in our women’s football programs.
“We look forward to welcoming Liam, his wife Louisa and daughter Heidi to the Kennel in the new year.”
The VFLW Bulldogs will commence 2026 pre-season training in February.
The side missed finals in 2025, finishing in ninth spot, having made the grand final the previous year, including beating Cavanagh’s Seagulls.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs finalised its AFLW list for next season with ruck Alice Edmonds and forward Ellie Gavalas putting pen to paper, extending their time in the red, white and blue.
Gavalas has signed on for the 2026 season, while Edmonds has added an extra year to her existing contract, taking her through to at least the end of 2027.
Edmonds, 27, played every match of the most recent campaign, averaging 27.6 hit-outs and 10.4 disposals while ranking first across the league for total hit-outs (331), hit-outs to advantage and hit-out win percentage.
Gavalas, 29, averaged 12.1 disposals and 2.6 tackles from her 11 games this year, with a season-high 19-disposal outing against St Kilda.
