David Hale will be well acquainted with the Fremantle playing group before he arrives at Fremantle as one of three additions to the club’s coaching group.
The three-time premiership star played against the side only a few weeks ago in the blockbuster Preliminary Final between Fremantle and Hawthorn at Domain Stadium.
Hale, along with premiership players Brent Guerra and Anthony Rock will join Fremantle’s coaching group for the 2016 season.
“Coming straight out of playing, it seems a good fit to head into a coaching role when your mind is fresh on footy,” Hale said.
“It’s a really exciting opportunity for me and I can’t wait to get started.”
Hale retired earlier this month after winning his third flag with Hawthorn, after 237 AFL games with the Hawks and North Melbourne.
The highly regarded former ruckman said about half-way through his career he gave thought to what he would do post-playing with coaching coming straight to mind.
“I’d considered coaching as a possibility for some time,” he said.
“The opportunity opened at Fremantle and I was excited by the thought of joining the club.
Hale is in the closing stages of a Diploma of Education at the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne.
“A lot of assistant coaches have come from an education background, so I think it will help,” he said.
“There is a lot of similarities between teaching and coaching, a lot of the skills I’ve learned will be a benefit to coaching.”
David Hale
237 AFL games: Hawthorn and North Melbourne
3x premiership player: 2013, 2014, 2015
Leading goal-kicker North Melbourne 2008
