Stewart joins Cats AFLW coaching panel

All Australian Geelong defender Tom Stewart has signed on to help steer the Cats' AFLW side through their inaugural season.

On Monday, the club announced Stewart, former Geelong and North Melbourne forward Aaron Black and Darebin Falcons premiership player Natalie Wood will be part of senior coach Paul Hood's panel in 2019.

Stewart has been a revelation since he was taken as a mature-aged recruit ahead of the 2017 season, playing 43 games and earning an All Australian nod this year.

The 25-year-old has coaching experience with GFL club South Barwon and will also improve his credentials in the area by undertaking a coaching course.

"I'm really grateful for the opportunity the club has provided me," Stewart said.

"Over the last two years at Geelong I have been able to develop significantly as a player, and I'm looking forward to being able to develop my coaching skills over the next few months with the AFLW group."

It's not the first time a current AFL player has helped out their club's women's team.

Retired Carlton cult figure Dennis Armfield was a specialist coach with the Blues in 2017 and GWS defender Heath Shaw mentored the Giants' AFLW back line this season.

Shaw famously shouted the entire team to dinner after they scored an upset win over Collingwood in March.

The Cats will join the AFLW competition, along with North Melbourne, in 2019 and will host the season-opener against Collingwood at GMHBA Stadium.