Fremantle Dockers confirm coaching signings of Sam Naismith and South Fremantle premiership-winner Todd Curley

Fremantle have signed former Sydney and Richmond ruck Sam Naismith and South Fremantle premiership boss Todd Curley as assistant coaches for next season.

The pair round out the club’s coaching staff after the departure of Matthew Boyd this off-season.

Curley, you was understood to also be weighing up a role at West Coast, has been named the club’s opposition strategy coach after leaving the Bulldogs at the end of the WAFL season.

The ex-Collingwood and Western Bulldogs player has previously coached at Fremantle under Mark Harvey and Ross Lyon from 2009 to 2012.

Naismith, who was delisted by Richmond at the end of this season to end a playing career plagued by serious knee injuries at both of his clubs, will work with Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson as the Dockers’ ruck coach.

The 32-year-old arrives at the club at a crucial time for the high-priced Fremantle ruck combination, with concerns over Darcy’s fitness and criticism over their ability to play together as a duo.

It comes after Norwood premiership coach and former North Melbourne player Jade Rawlings was unveiled as Justin Longmuir’s backline coach, replacing Boyd, who returned to Victoria for family reasons.

Fremantle executive general manager of football Joe Brierty said Naismith being fresh out of the game was part of his appeal as a ruck coach.

Dockers great Aaron Sandilands had worked on a consultant basis with the rucks in previous seasons.

After 11 years in the AFL system, Sam brings a great deal of experience as a player and during this journey, displayed a lot of the fighting qualities that we value,” Brierty said.

“Sam is passionate about getting the very best out of the people he works with and he had a real desire as a player to support and grow his teammates.

“Having the quality of established and developing rucks on our list, we’re fortunate to secure someone who has recently left the game that has the ability to come in and mentor all of these players and continue to develop their craft.”

“These appointments, along with Jade Rawlings earlier in the week, reinforce our focus to bring in great people that can drive our players and deliver success on and off field.”

Curley’s role was last season undertaken by assistant coach Harry Garland, who was also in charge of stoppages. That role will now be split.

Naismith played against Fremantle for Richmond at the MCG this year.