Fremantle have confirmed three-time Richmond premiership player Nathan Broad has joined the club as a development coach among a suite of changes to their panel for the 2026 season.
The Dockers had a number of coaching roles to fill after falling just short of capturing their first premiership, with forwards coach Jaymie Graham taking on the senior role at North Melbourne and Peel Thunder mentor Adam Read joining Greater Western Sydney.
Former player Tendai Mzungu has been elevated onto Justin Longmuir’s panel as their back-line assistant, with incumbent Jade Rawlings switching into Graham’s old role.
Read, who led the Thunder to a pair of WAFL premierships, has been replaced by a familiar face in Geoff Valentine. The former West Perth coach headed up Fremantle’s alignment partner in 2022 and 2023 before becoming the club’s head of development.
The Dockers have also added Sam Mainwaring, who coached East Fremantle to the WAFL colts flag last season, to their development panel.
Having called time on his 11-year playing career towards the end of last season, Broad said he was excited to be taking on a new challenge.
“I’m looking forward to learning and growing under some amazing coaches, who guided Fremantle and Peel Thunder through outstanding seasons this year,” Broad said.
“As I’ve grown older and progressed through my career, the coaching side of things became more prominent for me, especially as Richmond entered a new phase of its journey.
“Over the last few years, with a younger group at Richmond, it fast tracked my leadership and coaching credentials in a sense.”
Mzungu said his nine years as a coach with the club would hold him in good stead as he takes on his new role.
“In terms of my skill set, I feel ready to step up and take on a new role as I’ve had some great learning opportunities along the way,” Mzungu said.
“I’m really lucky to have been able to hold development roles under assistants Twig (Rawlings) and Matthew Boyd. When I began, Matty was my first coach, and he was brilliant for my early development.
“Twig gave me another lens on a different style. He’s really mentored and supported me and helped build my capacity as a coach.”
Fremantle’s head of football Joe Brierty said the additions to the club’s coaching ranks would each bring different strengths.
“Tendai has been a long-time servant of Fremantle. To see him work his way up through a variety of roles shows his dedication and skill set,” Brierty said.
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“It’s also great to welcome a player of Nathan Broad’s AFL experience to our development ranks. His genuine passion for coaching really stood out to us, alongside his desire to stay involved in footy, following his retirement at the end of the season.
“Similarly, Sam has put in the time and invested in his coaching craft over many years. His teaching background shone through when we met with him and he is clearly ready to take the next step into an AFL system.”