Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick (25.09.26)
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What does Simon Garlick say about the Dockers' preparation for the Grand Final?
All right, we're back. We've discussed Brisbane with Will Ashcroft. If you've missed any of that crazy scenes here at the Pullman Ballers everywhere, you can catch up on the podcast. But our next guest
has
done an amazing job to get his team to the biggest stage of all for the first time since 2013. The Fremantle CEO is Simon Garlick. Simon, thanks for joining us. Thank you, Kane. Long-time baller, first-time
caller. Thank you. 401er. Can I just say, well, it's very early in Perth, 401. I'm a baller fan, obviously, but the procession of selfies. In WA, we don't quite understand how big this is, but you guys are bigger than pigs. Great to see all the
boys out here. How are you
feeling? You must be nervous. Not really. I think that will come more tomorrow, closer to the game. But, I mean, we feel really organised. We sort of got over the notion that if you prepare and get everything done logistically, then you're getting ahead of yourself. We
were
obviously locked in for a top four and then a top two spot from a fair way out. So we just did it all. So this week's been actually pretty calm. from a footy operations perspective, and then just the overall club. So really looking forward to it. They've been balanced and even in their performance all year, so we're hoping that comes through tomorrow. Are you surprised Lockie Neal's playing? No, no, not in the least. I thought that would happen from early in the week. It took a bit longer than expected, but there's arguments to say. I think they were trying to stamp it out, and it looks a bit different this week, but we were planning that he was going to play, so it wasn't a huge surprise.
In your eyes, what's been the biggest shift from last year to this
year? I think it's maturity. We've got a group now that I think are, at their core, 23, 24, 25 years of age. They're strong, they're men. We play Brizzy and the Gabba. It just struck me that our boys are big and strong and powerful. And I don't think that was the case necessarily last year. Clearly wouldn't change... significantly in 12 months, but I just think they got over a bit of a hump. They were able to take a lot more workload, and I think there's a maturity in the group. Andy and Caleb are 24, 25, now they're seasoned, 150, heading towards 200 game players. and then I think there's a lot more belief, Kingy. I think that's what's occurred, and you've touched on it a lot. I do listen in regularly about the style of play, and there's the technical components of it, and then it's them believing they're good enough, and I think they do.
How has the team’s maturity and player development changed since last season?
I think that they think if they're believing in their best tomorrow, then they're going to be up to
their eyeballs in it. Is it as close to... And it's very difficult to talk about this the day before the grand final, but it's almost been the perfect season. String a heap of wins together at the start of the year, have the ability to rest players... both in-game and take them out of travel opportunities, those sorts of things. Okay, the last three or four weeks looked a bit wobbly or you're just limping to the line. Has it been as close from a management point of view to the perfect year?
Yeah, you generally have a whole lot of things that do go wrong and some that become public knowledge and some that don't. And we haven't had a lot of that this year. JL was big earlier on in the year of the 1-0 mentality. It's got a fair bit of airtime, but they've applied really well. And interestingly, Kingy, I think... I think keeping your focus is a lot easier when you're scrapping for a spot in the top eight or you've got to win this game to give yourself an opportunity for top four. Ironically, you win 14 in a row and lock it in early, it's harder to stay focused. And I think the guys did a really good job in that sense. So a lot has gone right for us. A bit of that luck and a bit of that good management.
The health of the list, you talk about it heaps, mate, is... has been huge. So to answer your question, it's been relatively smooth from a management and application point of view.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What does Simon Garlick say about the Dockers' preparation for the Grand Final?
0:01–2:18
2
How has the team’s maturity and player development changed since last season?
2:18–5:11
3
Why does Garlick consider this season close to a ‘perfect year’ for Fremantle?
5:11–7:03
4
What is ‘Warfy Time’ and how did the club negotiate its use with the AFL?
7:03–8:06
5
How does Fremantle blend in‑game entertainment with on‑field performance?
8:06–9:35
6
What strategies are in place to keep fans engaged during the finals run?
9:35–10:19
7
How does Garlick view Fremantle’s current standing in Western Australian footy?
10:19–10:51
8
What personal significance does the club’s success hold for Simon Garlick?
10:51–10:55