Latest news with #SimonGarlick
West Australian
3 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Fremantle Dockers CEO Simon Garlick loving additions to the team for upcoming AFLW season
Fremantle chief executive Simon Garlick is confident the recruiting done from the eastern states combined with the return of stars who didn't play last season will see the Dockers making giant strides throughout the upcoming AFLW campaign. The Dockers kicked off their pre-season on Saturday with a 7.3 (45) to 3.4 (22) victory over West Coast and will face St Kilda at Cockburn this weekend. That will be their final match before taking on Port Adelaide in round one. Fremantle's depth was on show against the Eagles as Kiara Bowers returned from giving birth last season and Ange Stannett played her first game since recovering from a knee reconstruction. But the Dockers also unveiled their draftees with Victorian pair Georgie Brisbane and Evie Parker. The most recent draft was the first where clubs could draft players from anywhere in Australia and the Dockers were quick to pounce on Brisbane, Parker and Holly Egan after watching them impress in Victoria. The club also recruited forward Bella Smith from the Sydney Swans, but she didn't play against the Eagles due to a finger injury. Garlick is excited by the changes that fans will see this season. 'The young women from Victoria who have come over have made a real impact not just because of their clear ability but because of the way they've integrated into the group and the impact they've had from a cultural point of view. We've got some returning senior players who missed either the whole or a large chunk of last season who are returning,' he told The West Australian. 'We are excited about what our group might be able to achieve. I think the evolution of the game itself is exciting. We can't wait. 'We have never shied away from setting significant targets for ourselves to achieve as a footy club. We don't want to put a ceiling on what we can achieve.' The Dockers showed their faith in coach Lisa Webb last month, extending her contract for another two years after she led the team to the finals last season. Garlick is confident she can take the team to another level and maximise the talent on the list as the Dockers chase a historic premiership. 'Webby has got a fantastic ability to build genuine and authentic relationships across the whole club. When you mix that ability with a very strong football brain, you have a person who can help he club to achieve success,' he said.
West Australian
23-07-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Fremantle Dockers CEO Simon Garlick calls for AFL to introduce Wild Card tournament to add spice to season
The West Australian exclusive Fremantle Dockers CEO Simon Garlick calls for AFL to introduce Wild Card tournament to add spice to season
News.com.au
17-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick wants father-son rule scrapped
The AFL's father-son rule no longer has place in the game according to Fremantle chief executive Simon Garlick, who believes it diminishes any efforts for equalisation. As Brisbane prepares to launch into a bid for back-to-back premierships with superstar brothers Will and Levi Ashcroft, while leaders Collingwood boast Nick and Josh Daicos, Garlick declared the modern game couldn't keep limiting access to the best young talent. The Ashcroft brothers, including Norm Smith medallist Will, were both likely No.1 picks who went to the Lions because of their father, Marcus, a 300-gamer for Brisbane who had first access to them. Similarly, Nick Daicos was widely considered the best player in his draft but went at four due to Collingwood's bid, while Western Bulldogs 'unicorn' Sam Darcy, the son of club great Luke, has emerged as a potential $2m-a-season player and was another father-son product. Even of one of the modern-day greats, dual Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett Jr, started his career and played in premierships with Geelong because of the link with his legendary father, Gary Ablett Sr. Having been unable to get its hands on any of them, Garlick said the romantic notion of the rule was now outweighed by the need for equal access in the pursuit of premierships. 'The father-son is just pot luck,' he said. 'So from my perspective I just think when you've got players the like of the Ashcrofts, Sam Darcy – they're generational players – and we're all working towards trying to win flags by building great cultures, attracting and retaining talent, and doing things on an even playing field. 'It's one that I don't see as having a place in the contemporary game, albeit understanding it's lovely from a historical perspective and the culture of the game. I get that. 'But it just doesn't feel right to me.' Garlick said the draft was the 'most critical equalisation measure in the game' and shouldn't be compromised anymore. 'I understand that we're going to have some concessions that are provided with it,' he told SEN. 'We want to encourage the game in the northern markets and we're supportive of that. We want to make sure we reach these people who might not necessarily play the game at a regular level.' The AFL has given no indication that the father-son rule would be revisited. The Dockers have one father-son player on their list, Jaren Carr, only the club's second father-son player after Brett Peake.
West Australian
13-06-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Fremantle Dockers CEO Simon Garlick wants AFL to further increase the number of games they play in WA
The West Australian exclusive Fremantle Dockers CEO Simon Garlick wants AFL to further increase the number of games they play in WA
News.com.au
08-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Fremantle v Collingwood AFL Round 9: Live updates, SuperCoach scores, teams
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.'
