The Fremantle Dockers have undergone a restructure of the footy department following a review in recent months, appointing Joe Brierty as the club’s new executive head of football.
It’s a move that’s seen respected football administrator Peter Bell move into a new role as executive general manager of football talent, strategy and special projects.
Brierty has been at the Dockers for over a decade and was most recently the club’s chief operating officer.
Speaking to SEN WA’s The Run Home on Monday, Brierty offered an insight into his new position.
“My job is to make sure the people are in the right places… and clear on what their accountabilities are to ensure that as we ebb and flow over a long football season over the years to come, that we’re consistently coming back to that strategy and executing in all aspects of football,” he said.
Given Bell’s role includes strategy, Brierty’s answer is an interesting one.
Brierty was also asked whether Bell had been moved sideways.
“With Peter and his discussions with Simon (Garlick, CEO) over time, this is something they’ve been talking about for an extended period in terms of what it looks likes,” he replied.
He added: “Now it’s an opportunity for us to redefine what we need to do from a performance and growth perspective and Peter’s role in focusing on our talent across the football program from a players’ perspective but also with our football personnel will really set us up for sustained success.”
Both Bell and Brierty’s responsibilities will include AFLW.
Bell has become an important figure across the footy landscape in recent years and has played a particularly large role in the trade period with a larger number of players leaving Fremantle.
Garry Lyon, speaking about Bell’s new role on SEN Breakfast, said: “It would appear he’s gone from running the football department to running the talent, strategy and special projects… I would say if it’s not a demotion, it’s a sideways move.”
Sam Edmund added: “Is it a promotion, a demotion, a sideways move? I’m not sure… he was doing the job well, historically, a hard negotiator too.”
Bell and Brierty will officially commence their new jobs following the conclusion of the AFLW season. Given Fremantle won’t play finals, that’s set to come this week.