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Fremantle Dockers coach Trent Cooper named AFLW coach of the year after undefeated 2020 season

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Bonnie RaynorThe West Australian
VideoAFLW coach Trent Cooper is the man behind the Fremantle Dockers winning streak.

Fremantle Dockers coach Trent Cooper has capped off his unblemished 2020 season in style, recognised as the AFLW Senior Coach of the Year.

In just his second year in the top job, the Cooper-led Dockers didn’t drop a game all season, winning all seven matches including a 70-point semi-final domination over the Gold Coast Suns.

The Dockers were clear flag favourites before the coronavirus pandemic abruptly ended the season.

Cooper said while he was honoured to win the peer-voted award, it wasn’t only recognition for him.

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“If you came and watched our training, you may not know who the senior coach was because the other coaches have such a big input. It’s definitely for the whole group, that’s for sure,” Cooper said.

“It is a big honour to win it and I think it goes to the whole team.

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“It’s recognition of what we achieved on the field and what the players’ achieved to keep a perfect record, that goes a long way towards it.

Trent Cooper, Senior Coach of the Dockers coach addresses the team at three quarter time break.
Camera IconTrent Cooper, Senior Coach of the Dockers coach addresses the team at three quarter time break. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos/Getty Images

“And we couldn’t do what we do if it wasn’t for the support we receive from the whole football department, starting with Peter Bell and Joe Briety to all of our hard working support staff.”

Carlton coach Daniel Harford finished second behind Cooper, with first-year Collingwood coach Steve Symonds taking out third place.

Cooper boasts an impressive 83 per cent win rate since taking over from inaugural coach Michelle Cowan in 2018.

But the senior coach was quick to credit the team around him for their incredible success this year.

“There are a lot of talented coaches and there is a really good collegiate attitude between all of us, helping each other out to grow female footy,” Cooper said.

“It’s a big honour to think that they thought enough of me and what we achieved that year.”

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