Essendon coach Natalie Wood is set to become the first woman to coach for five AFLW seasons after penning a two-year extension.
Wood, the Bombers' inaugural women's coach, has put pen to paper to remain at the club until at least the end of 2026.
After joining Essendon in 2022, Wood will surpass Adelaide premiership coach and former Hawthorn boss Bec Goddard's record of four seasons.
At the helm for 21 games (two seasons) so far, Wood led the side to a finals berth in their second ever campaign last season.
"I feel really proud to have had this position from the start and to have the growth we have had in two years," Wood said in a club statement on Friday.
"To be given the privilege to go forward for another three seasons is fantastic.
"You always want to be in a hurry, but we have had to respect that building connection, culture and purpose within a group takes time.
"What we have been able to build over the past two years has shaped our foundations, and now we can get stuck (into) our purpose, what we want to be known for, and the type of football we want to play."
Wood is among five women who are head coaches in the AFLW, joined by first-year West Coast boss Daisy Pearce, new Western Bulldogs coach Tam Hyett, Fremantle's Lisa Webb and Port Adelaide's Lauren Arnell.
Wood and Arnell will also become the first women to coach more than two years consecutively.
The ninth iteration of the AFLW gets under way on August 30 when Sydney host Collingwood, before Wood's Bombers play Fremantle the following day.
Carlton coach Mathew Buck has also locked in his future, re-signing with the Blues until at least the end of 2026.
Buck, who previously worked in the club's VFL program, has been at the helm since the start of 2023.
“I am honoured to continue as the AFLW senior coach at Carlton, and the responsibility I hold is not lost on me,” Buck said.
“The foundations we set last season will hold us in good stead.''
