Anything and Everything Fremantle
Confirmed Movements
Roger Hayden back on board at Freo
012 years
Recently retired Fremantle defender Roger Hayden is set to join the club’s development coaching staff.
Fremantle general manager of football operations Chris Bond confirmed today that Hayden had accepted a position as a development coach under senior development coach/assistant coach Simon Lloyd.
“It’s a real positive for both Roger and the club that we have been able to retain the services of a former player who is held in such high regard,” Bond said.
“As a senior player coming straight out of the game, Roger will provide great insight, particularly for our younger players, about the level of preparation and professionalism required to succeed at the elite level.”
After recently gaining a coaching certificate from the WA Football Commission, Hayden said the opportunity was too good to pass up.
“I had planned on enjoying some time with my family, but after the position became available, I had a chat with the wife and family and they said I should give it a go,” Hayden said.
New role sees McCartney depart Freo
013 years
Development coach Jason McCartney has advised the Fremantle Dockers that he is leaving the club to return to Melbourne to take on a new role with the Western Bulldogs.
McCartney, who joined Fremantle in November 2010, has been appointed the Western Bulldogs’ List Manager.
The club wishes Jason all the best in his future endeavours.
Fremantle delists three players
013 years
The Fremantle Dockers have delisted three more players ahead of the AFL’s first list lodgement deadline on Monday 31 October.
Justin Bollenhagen and Casey Sibosado were delisted, while Clancee Pearce, who was also delisted, will train on with the club during the 2012 pre-season.
They join five other players who were delisted last month, including senior listed players Clayton Hinkley and Joel Houghton, and rookie listed players Tim Ruffles, Ben Bucovaz and Hamish Shepheard.
Veteran defender Roger Hayden and midfielder Byron Schammer have retired, while Rhys Palmer departed Fremantle for Greater Western Sydney.
Meanwhile, 201 game veteran Antoni Grover will enter his 14th season in 2012 after securing a one-year contract extension.
Freo secures pick 20 in National Draft
013 years
The Fremantle Dockers have secured selection number 20 in next month’s NAB AFL National Draft after a three-way exchange involving Greater Western Sydney and St Kilda.
As part of the three-way deal, GWS will give pick 25 and two pre-listing selections – VFL player Ahmed Saad and SANFL player Terry Milera – to St Kilda in exchange for the Saints’ pick 20.
Under the exchange agreed to today, Fremantle will give its compensation national draft selection, an end of first round selection, to GWS in exchange for the pick 20 the Giants had earlier acquired from St Kilda.
Fremantle originally received the compensation selection after the out of contract Rhys Palmer signed with the Giants last month.
As a result, Fremantle will have picks 16, 20, 38, 56 and 72 in next month’s NAB AFL National Draft.
Sumich set to sail with Freo Dockers
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The Fremantle Dockers have today confirmed that Peter Sumich has accepted a position as an assistant coach at the club.
Sumich, 43, a dual premiership player, has been an assistant coach with West Coast for the past 11 seasons.
Fremantle’s general manager of football operations Chris Bond confirmed the appointment.
“Peter will be a valuable addition to our coaching staff,” Bond said.
“With more than 20 years as a player and a coach at the elite level, including premiership success, Peter will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Fremantle Football Club.”
Sumich played 150 games for West Coast from 1989-1997.
He played in the Eagles’ 1992 and 1994 premiership sides and was seven times the club’s leading goal kicker.
Freo Dockers appoint stoppages coach
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The Fremantle Dockers have appointed Mark Stone as stoppages coach for 2012.
The 44-year-old father of two has been stoppages coach at the Sydney Swans for the past four seasons. Prior to that, Stone was stoppage and opposition analyst at West Coast from 2003 to 2007.
He was also an assistant coach at South Fremantle in the WAFL from 2001 to 2002 and senior coach of the Wagga Tigers (1999-2000) in the Riverina Football League.
At the Swans, Stone’s responsibilities as stoppages coach included strategic planning and implementation.
Stone is due to start at Fremantle on 1 November.
“I’m really looking forward to the challenges that are ahead and working with a playing group that is ready to improve under new senior coach Ross Lyon,” he said.
Lyon gets four-year deal to coach Fremantle Dockers
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The Fremantle Dockers today confirmed that Ross Lyon has been appointed as the club’s senior coach for the next four years.
The 44-year-old father of three will replace Mark Harvey, who was told yesterday that he would not continue as senior coach of Fremantle in 2012.
Lyon has been the senior coach for the past five seasons at St Kilda, where in 121 games he took the Saints to four finals’ series and three grand finals in two years (including the 2010 drawn grand final).
At 63 per cent, Lyon has the highest winning percentage of any current AFL coach who has coached for more than one year.
His tenure at St Kilda followed assistant coaching roles at Sydney (2004-2006), Carlton (2000-2003) and Richmond (1996-1999).
As a player, Lyon notched up 127 games with Fitzroy over 10 years before a knee injury ending his career in 1995 after a further two games for Brisbane.
Fremantle delists five players
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The Fremantle Football Club has today completed its first block of post-season player reviews and interviews.
As a result, the club can confirm that the players to have been delisted to date include senior list players Clayton Hinkley and Joel Houghton, and rookie list players Tim Ruffles, Ben Bucovaz and Hamish Shepheard.
A second block of post-season player reviews and interviews will be held tomorrow.
A further update will be issued after the completion of the second and final block of post-season player reviews and interviews.
Palmer exits Fremantle for GWS
013 years
The Fremantle Dockers can confirm that Rhys Palmer is to leave the club.
Palmer, who was the 2008 NAB Rising Star, informed the club today that he will join Greater Western Sydney.
General manager of football operations Chris Bond said that the club was disappointed to lose Palmer.
“But we fully understand the changes in the AFL landscape following the introduction of Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney,” Bond said.
“We wish Rhys all the best for the future. Given Rhys’ decision to leave, our role is to now seek the best possible outcome for the Fremantle Football Club.”
Barry Mitchell departs Fremantle
013 years
The Fremantle Dockers have today confirmed that assistant coach Barry Mitchell will not coach at the club in 2012.
General manager of football operations Chris Bond said Mitchell, who joined Fremantle in November 2008 after a stint at Hawthorn as coach of VFL affiliate Box Hill Hawks in 2008, had played a key role in coaching Fremantle’s mid-field for the past three seasons.
“We thank Barry for the commitment he has shown the club during that time and wish Barry and his family all the best in the future,” Bond said.
Mitchell, whose son Tom has been drafted by the Sydney Swans, said he was looking forward to returning to Melbourne.
“We are moving back for family reasons,” he said.
“Although Tom is going to be in Sydney with the Swans and we’ll be in Melbourne, we will still be a lot closer to him. We’ve really enjoyed our time here and the departure is amicable but it’s time to go back home to be closer to family and friends, and pursue other opportunities.
“I’ve learnt a lot during my time at Fremantle, made some great friendships and will look back on my time here fondly.”
