Fremantle has confirmed the final changes to Justin Longmuir’s coaching panel ahead of season 2025.
Former South Fremantle premiership coach Todd Curley has been appointed Opposition Strategy Coach, while former Sydney and Richmond big man Sam Naismith has been announced as Ruck and Development Coach.
Curley has extensive coaching and playing experience in the AFL and WAFL with West Perth, South Fremantle, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs.
The 51-year-old most recently spent 10 years in the WAFL at the helm of the Bulldogs, leading them to three successive grand finals (2019-2021) and claiming premiership success in 2020.
It will be Curley’s second stint at Fremantle, having served as an Assistant Coach from 2009 to 2012.
Curley played 118 AFL matches as a defender for Collingwood (3 games) and Footscray/Western Bulldogs (115 games) between 1996 and 2001 after being drafted from West Perth.
He played 148 games for the Falcons (1991-1993, 1995, 2002-2005), winning premierships in 1995 and 2003.
“To bring a quality person like Todd back into the Freo family after more than a decade in the WAFL system, in an important role for the coaching team, is a great outcome for the Club.
“We identified that this is an area we wanted to add some additional support around, and with Todd’s experience as a WAFL premiership senior coach, he will complement our coaching group and be a valuable resource for our program”
Curley will work closely with assistant coaches Jade Rawlings (backs), Jaymie Graham (forwards), Joel Corey (midfield) and Harry Garland (stoppage) to focus on scenario and opposition planning.
Assistant Coach Garland, who was formerly overseeing stoppage and opposition, will continue to oversee stoppages strategy.
Naismith heads west to join Freo’s coaching panel after retiring in August following 11 AFL seasons with Sydney and Richmond.
The 32-year-old showed courage and resilience while battling serious injuries across a playing career that saw him notch 30 AFL games for the Swans and three with the Tigers.
“After 11 years in the AFL system, Sam brings a great deal of experience as a player and during this journey, displayed a lot of the fighting qualities that we value,” said Executive General Manager of Football Joe Brierty.
“Sam is passionate about getting the very best out of the people he works with and he had a real desire as a player to support and grow his teammates.
“Having the quality of established and developing rucks on our list, we’re fortunate to secure someone who has recently left the game that has the ability to come in and mentor all of these players and continue to develop their craft.”
“These appointments, along with Jade Rawlings earlier in the week, reinforce our focus to bring in great people that can drive our players and deliver success on and off field.”
Assistant coach Harry Garland, who was formerly overseeing stoppage and opposition, continues as Stoppage Coach.
Geoff Valentine’s role will focus on overseeing player development as Head of Development, while former Fremantle player and Development Coach Brady Grey will be leaving the coaching department as he look to continue his playing career.
The Club is in discussions with Grey to continue to support player development in the talent pathway as part of the Club’s Community Department.
“We thank Brady for his contribution to our coaching team in recent years and more recently in Peel’s successful premiership campaign,” said Brierty.
“We are hopeful that his will continue to be engaged at the Club in some capacity.”
Fremantle’s 2025 Coaching Group
Senior Coach – Justin Longmuir
Assistant Coach – Jaymie Graham (forwards)
Assistant Coach – Joel Corey (midfield)
Assistant Coach– Jade Rawlings (backs)
Stoppages Coach – Harry Garland
Opposition Coach – Todd Curley
Peel Thunder Senior Coach – Adam Read
Head of Development – Geoff Valentine
Development Coach - Tendai Mzungu
Development Coach - Andrew Sturgess
Ruck/Development Coach - Sam Naismith
