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Former Geelong AFL player Dan Lowther has been named the Cats' new AFLW coach.

Geelong have gone in-house for their new AFLW coach, with former AFL player and long-time staffer Dan Lowther charged with driving the Cats up the ladder.

He takes the reins after inaugural coach Paul Hood stepped down at the end of last season.

Lowther played 34 AFL games for the Cats between 1996 and 2001 and returned to Geelong as a VFL assistant coach in 2015.

He was then an analyst for the AFL team between 2018 and 2020, before working as the AFLW side's midfield coach under Hood in the 2021 season.

"For me when we start our pre-season it will be about making a few structural changes and subtle differences to allow us to compete in games for longer," the 44-year-old Lowther said.

"I'll bring energy and enthusiasm, one of my strengths is working with people and relationships. Knowing the group for 12 months already is going to kick-start that aspect.

"Knowing the girls' strengths and weaknesses already, we will hit the ground running in the areas we need to improve on."

Lowther faces a tough test in turning Geelong around.

The Cats finished 13th of 14 teams last season, with their only win coming against wooden spooners Gold Coast.

They lost gun midfielder Olivia Purcell to Melbourne in the trade period but gained Adelaide's Chloe Scheer and Demon Chantel Emonson.

Lowther begins his tenure on July 1.