Michael Barlow has been named the 2024 AFL Coaches Association Development Coach of the Year following his first year at Arden Street.

Barlow, who joined North Melbourne as head of development ahead of the 2024 season, received the recognition for his work with the club’s younger contingent as part of the AFLCA’s annual awards night on Tuesday.

The Development Coach of the Year is awarded based on input from both players and coaches, who are asked to rate the development coaches at their respective clubs on their overall performance throughout the year.

Barlow played 141 games for Fremantle and the Gold Coast Suns from 2010-2018 after being picked up from Werribee in the VFL as a mature-age recruit. 

He transitioned into coaching following his departure from the Suns, returning to Werribee as a playing assistant coach for two seasons before being promoted to senior coach ahead of the 2021 season.

In 2023, Barlow was named the VFL Coach of the Year after leading Werribee to a 17-game winning streak and the side’s first Grand Final appearance in almost two decades.