Cowan was the inaugural AFLW coach for the Dockers and advised earlier this week she would not seek an extension of her contract.

She had been in discussions with Fremantle regarding extending her contract but advised the club of her decision to pursue other opportunities.

“A review of our AFLW operations, chaired by general manager of football operations Chris Bond, is underway and has been tasked to ensure that we are maximising our AFLW team’s performance,” Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich said.

“Michelle has played an integral role in laying the foundations for what was the first ever AFLW team in WA.

“Michelle has made a significant contribution in getting our women’s team up and running and also more broadly to the promotion and participation of women’s football," he added.

Cowan said it would be difficult to leave the club.

“It was difficult in the sense that I am passionate about the role and love the job but easy because it will allow me to spend more time with our young children,” Cowan said.

She is the second coach in a matter of weeks to leave an AFLW club. 

Inaugural Premiership winning coach with Adelaide Crows Bec Goddard decided to return to Canberra to resume her law enforcement career. 

The 39-year-old is an AFP officer and transferred to Adelaide to work in the anti-child exploitation unit during her time with the Crows.

However, Goddard will continue to have a role in Aussie Rules as she has taken up a role as an assistant coach with NEAFL side Canberra Demons.

Currently, coaches in the AFLW only have one-year rolling contracts which are not fulltime positions.