Fremantle Dockers AFLW senior coach Trent Cooper has been voted by his peers as the 2020 AFL Coaches Association AFLW Senior Coach of the Year.

In his second year in the top job, Cooper coached an undefeated Freo team, winning all seven matches played in the 2020 season, including a 70 point semi-final win against Gold Coast, before the season ended abruptly.

Cooper took out the award ahead of the 2019 AFL Coaches Association AFLW Senior Coach of the Year and second year Blues coach, Daniel Harford, whilst first year Collingwood coach Steve Symonds finished in third place.

He was deemed to be the best performed senior coach throughout the 2020 AFLW season, up to and including the semi-final.

The award, voted by all AFLW senior coaches, considers each team’s performance, available resources, player talent and team management.

Cooper was honoured to receive the award and said it was deserved recognition for the whole coaching group, which includes assistant coaches Craig Thomas, Lisa Webb, Amy Lavel, Garrick Ibbotson and high performance manager Kate Starre.

“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

“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.

“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.”

Peter Bell and Trent Cooper look on during a training session in early 2020.

Cooper said the most pleasing part of the award was the recognition from his fellow senior coaches.

“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.

AFL Coaches Association CEO, Mark Brayshaw, congratulated Cooper on his 2020 coaching performance.

“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,” Brayshaw said.

“On behalf of the association, I congratulate Trent on his team’s performances and personal achievement in 2020.”