The Fremantle Football Club is pleased to welcome Beau McDonald to its coaching staff, with McDonald commencing on Monday as the new ruck coach.

Drafted from Swan Districts in 1997, the former Brisbane Lion played 91 AFL games between 1998 and 2007 and is a two-time premiership player from 2001 and 2002.

McDonald joined the Lions coaching staff for three years following his retirement. He since returned to Western Australia to undertake youth coaching in the Pilbara and was most recently the Head of Coaching at the WA Football Commission.

McDonald takes over from Aaron Sandilands as the Club’s ruck coach.

Executive General Manager of Football Peter Bell thanked Sandilands and welcomed McDonald to the Club.

“Due to increasing work commitments, Aaron was unable to continue in his role as our Ruck Coach, but we’re thrilled to welcome Beau McDonald in as his replacement,” Bell said.

“Whilst we are sad to see Aaron depart, he is a passionate Fremantle person and we know he will continue to support the football department and the Club wholeheartedly, as he has always done.

“Beau's playing record speaks for itself, he is a dual premiership player who will impart his playing and coaching experience to our players, particularly our young rucks and ruck/forwards.”

McDonald said he was particularly eager to work with Fremantle’s new draftees, Max Knobel and Liam Reidy, as well as star duo Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson.

“I’m really excited, it feels like the first day at school just meeting everyone. I’m really looking forward to it,” McDonald said.

“I’m looking forward to getting to work with our new rucks, I used to play with Trent Knobel, Max’s dad, back at Brisbane, so it’s such a small world that I’m now coaching his son.

“Sean and Luke have both had excellent careers to date, so I’m really looking forward to seeing them improve and helping them with their game.”