SFFC TO FAREWELL LONGEST SERVING COACH 

South Fremantle Football Club has been informed by Senior Coach Todd Curley that he will not seek an extension to his contract at the completion of the 2024 season.

He departs as the longest-serving coach in the Club’s 124-year history, ahead of games-coached record holder Clive Lewington who led for 201 games between 1950 to 1958 (9 seasons). 

Curley arrived at South Fremantle in October 2014, having played and coached at both WAFL and AFL level, succeeding Paul Haselby who was at the helm of the Bulldogs from 2012-14. 

He would first achieve finals participation in just his second season, when the Bulldogs fifteen wins and five losses saw the Club finish second at the end of the 2016 home and away season. 

His tenure has delivered deep finals participation over an extended period, with the highpoint being winning the famous 2020 Premiership victory at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

“On Monday, I advised Head of Football Charlie Burke, and President Peter Christie, that on completion of the 2024 season I would not be pursuing a contract extension to continue as the Senior Coach of the South Fremantle Football Club” Todd Curley said. 

“It has not been an easy decision; however, it has become increasingly clear that I no longer have the appetite to manage the time and responsibilities of looking after my family, working full time and being the Senior Coach at the South Fremantle Football Club”

“I have been very fortunate to be involved at this great club for 10 seasons, which I never expected when I accepted the job at the end of 2014. Over that time, we have enjoyed some fantastic experiences, and I have met some fantastic people”

“A big thank you to everyone who has had an involvement in our program over my time at the club; players, coaches, support staff, volunteers, administration and the board, as you have all made an impact on creating the environment we wanted. I will be forever grateful for all your commitment, resilience, expertise and friendship”

“Finally, and most importantly to Paula, Thalia, Aiden and my family, thank you for all your love and support”

“Hopefully we can add a little be more to the final chapter over the final few weeks of season 2024. After that, I am excited for a break and looking forward to what is next” Curley concluded

The 51-year-old has a win/loss percentage of 62.5% winning 120 of a possible 195 games to date and will equal Clive Lewington’s 201 games-coached record should South Fremantle play all finals and reach the 2024 WAFL Grand Final.

“To have a coach dedicate so much effort and energy to a football club and program for this period of time is absolute testament to Todd’s resilience and passion” Head of Football Charlie Burke said.

“Whilst the 2020 premiership is likely to be a headline, it’s what he and his family have committed for this Club that will standout to those inside the four walls. It is an enormous responsibility to coach at this level whilst juggling family and a full-time job”

“I wish to thank Todd for his lasting contribution to our club and extend our appreciation to his wife Paula and children Thalia and Aiden, for sharing him with us over the past ten years”

“The club appreciates and supports Todd’s desire to coach the remainder of the season as we believe we are still very much a finals aspirant, and we hope to go deep into September” Burke concluded.