Fremantle v Collingwood AFL Round 9: Live updates, SuperCoach scores, teams

News.com.au

08-05-2025

Fremantle chief executive Simon Garlick has confirmed he has spoken to AFL boss Andrew Dillon about the league's chief operating officer role, with a price tag of well over $1 million available for the new appointee.
But family circumstances for both Garlick and Sydney chief executive Tom Harley will make it hard for both of them to shift back to Melbourne if they did eventually secure the role.
Garlick, Harley and Western Bulldogs chief executive Ameet Bains are all considered chief candidates for the position, despite Garlick and Bains both publicly distancing themselves from any interest.
MCC boss Stuart Fox was initially contacted by the AFL but made clear he was happy in his current role.
Garlick said he had unfinished business at Fremantle and has a child about to enter Year 12 next year.
But it is understood he is considering the role and within the AFL industry is considered the favourite.
The league would ideally want to interview all three contenders – and potentially other left-field candidates – and with club chief executives making up to $1 million the job would come with a hefty pay rise from that figure.
It is understood with Dillon and the AFL Commission determined to secure a heavy hitter there is a budget there to pay the successful candidate whatever it would take to shift them from their current role.
But the league has made clear that while the COO position has a huge portfolio of exciting responsibilities there is no guarantee that administrator will be the league's new chief executive after Dillon.
Dillon made clear to confidantes when appointed he would not be in the role for a decade but the 54-year-old is only 18 months into the job so in no rush to move on.
It means anyone who wanted the job, which takes in key AFL projects, relationships with clubs and initiatives like Gather Round and Opening Round, would have to do it for the role itself rather than with a guarantee of future promotion.
Harley and wife Felicity are well entrenched in Sydney with young children but it remains to be seen if a new AFL chief operating officer could perform the role from New South Wales.
Former Dogs player and CEO Garlick is also loving the move to Perth.
Bains might believe remaining with the Dogs – who have a huge premiership window ahead and a new Whitten Oval development just completed – would put him in a better position to one day succeed Dillon than coming into AFL House.
Garlick has strong support from AFL commission boss Richard Goyder and a strong friendship with Dillon but told ABC Radio he hadn't put his hat in the ring when the AFL asked for applicants.
'Look, I couldn't be happier both professionally and personally. My family couldn't have settled better in Perth. It's five years now, it's an unbelievable place to live.
'So even on a personal front it would be a significant wrench.
'I understand the question given I am from (Melbourne). I haven't spoken to 'Dills', he has spoken to me about the role and it's a fantastic role.
'Timing is important in life. I also happen to have fallen in love with the footy club I am working for. My wife and kids have settled in unbelievably well.'
'(Fremantle) hasn't had the success it would desire but it's a club that has unbelievable stories and richness and footy heritage and we are focused on trying to do something really special so that's where my complete focus is.'
Bains also sidestepped AFL interest in a recent interview on SEN Radio.
'Look, it's obviously an exciting opportunity for the right candidate but right now I am focused on leading the Bulldogs and dealing with the issues we have discussed. There is a lot going on at our end and that is occupying my thoughts and time.'