Essendon's inaugural AFLW senior coach returns for her second season in charge.

Before joining Essendon, Natalie Wood coached at the Western Bulldogs where she spent the past two years as an assistant midfield AFLW coach. Prior to her move to Whitten Oval, Wood gained experience in Geelong’s women's program for four years as an AFLW midfield coach and VFLW head coach.

Wood also gained coaching success at an underage level, having been an assistant coach in the AFLW Under-18 All Stars match in 2017. She also served as an assistant coach with Vic Country in the AFL Women’s Under-18 National Championships in 2018.

Prior to Wood turning her attention to coaching, she had an accomplished 17-year football career as a player.

Across her 197 games, which were spread across the Darebin Falcons and Melbourne University, Wood won five premierships, was a 10-time state representative and three-time All-Australian.