As a lifelong Freo Dockers fan, it was an honour and privilege to chat with the club CEO Simon Garlick. He was open in talking about his career journey, sports leadership and strategy in the AFL.

A former CEO of the Western Bulldogs (2010-2015), Simon was appointed CEO of Fremantle effective November 18, 2019 after serving as CEO of Bastion EBA (2015-2019), a division of Bastion Collective, Australia’s leading independent marketing, communications and commercial agency.

Simon, who played a combined 181 games for Sydney and the Western Bulldogs (1994-2004), also has extensive experience as a director, with previous governance responsibility on the AFL Players’ Association board and as a Western Bulldogs board member.

He has expertise in complex stakeholder management and engagement experience across governing bodies, local, state and federal governments, media and the negotiation of major commercial/sponsorship contracts with multinational corporations.

Educated at St Kevin’s College in Melbourne, Simon has a BA Business Administration from the University of Western Sydney and an MBA from Victoria University.

Thanks to Evelina Palmiotti from the club for helping behind the scenes.