Two Fox Footy experts have been left baffled by what North Melbourne champion David King called the “farcical” decision by Fremantle to extend head coach Justin Longmuir’s contract by just one year.
Longmuir was set to come out of contract at the end of 2024, with his status plus Fremantle’s disappointing 2023 finals miss making him one of the most under pressure coaches in the AFL.
Yet on Thursday evening, ahead of the club’s Round 1 opener against Brisbane, the Dockers announced Longmuir had put pen to paper keeping him at the club until the end of 2025.
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“It’s farcical, everyone’s seeing through this straight away,” King said on Fox Footy.
“It’s a PR stunt gone wrong. Fancy giving a guy one year.
“You’re not absolutely saying ‘he’s our man, we’ve got him for another three years, get used to it guys and lay down your guns’.
“He’s under enormous pressure to get this club rolling, to play a brand of football that we’ve seen from [Craig] McRae and [Matthew] Nicks and where football’s actually going.
“I just think they’ve made what they think is a great sell into a PR disaster.”
Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall labelled the decision “extraordinary” on Fox Footy’s pre-game broadcast.
“I don’t understand why you would extend a coaches tenure by one year,” Dunstall said.
“It’s not showing long-term commitment, it doesn’t do anything.
“If they have a poor year, wouldn’t you then like the opportunity should you so desire, to make a change? But they’ve handcuffed themselves by giving one year, not two or three, and saying he’s our man long term.”
Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick affirmed that the decision aligns with the club’s broader strategy.
“We believe in what we are building here at the Fremantle Dockers,” said Garlick.
“Justin embodies the coaching excellence and vision that aligns with our ambitions.
“He has an incredible handle on the game and is passionate about teaching it in a way that resonates with and is impactful to his players.
“We strongly believe in the program that Justin, our playing group and overall football department are embedding and driving, and the decision to extend his contract aligned with what we believe we can achieve in the coming years and beyond.”
Longmuir was grateful to sign the extension and the continuity that it will provide for the entire club.
“I am extremely excited by the playing group, coaching team and support staff around me, all of whom I have complete trust in.
“This team is the most connected group I have encountered during my tenure and I am eager to see what we can achieve.
“We are all committed to achieving success, and I’m excited to lead this talented group towards our goals.”
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