A new head coach has been appointed at Peel Thunder, with outgoing coach Geoff Valentine taking up a role at the Fremantle Dockers.
Valentine will become the Head of Football Operations and Development at the Dockers with Adam Read assuming the role of Senior Coach at Peel.
Valentine was coach of the Thunder for the past two years and led them to a WAFL Grand Final in 2023.
Fremantle's Executive General Manager of Football Joe Brierty said Valentine’s body of work in WA football makes him an ideal candidate for a senior position in the AFL program.
“Geoff’s leadership and experience gives him all the skills needed for this important role,” Brierty said.
“He will oversee our Peel alignment operations, work with JL (Justin Longmuir) to mentor our coaching department, manage our football programming and logistics - as well as key football operations partnerships.”
Read’s appointment with Peel Thunder will be his first senior coaching position after eight years as a Development Coach with Fremantle.
He spent two years as a recruiter after joining the Club in 2007, worked as an analyst from 2009 to 2011 and joined Fremantle’s coaching department in 2012.
“This exciting opportunity is a credit to Adam’s hard-working attitude and determination to continually improve and grow as a coach,” Brierty said.
“Adam will have a transition phase with Geoff until Christmas and Geoff will continue to play an important role mentoring Adam over the 2024 WAFL season.”
Peel Thunder CEO Paul Lekias said the Club was proud of what Valentine had achieved and looked forward to the next chapter with Read overseeing the program.
“We are thankful for Geoff’s contribution since arriving at our Club in 2022,” Lekias said.
“What he’s done for our program has laid the foundations for the years ahead.
“From our perspective, to see our people promoted into senior positions within the AFL speaks volumes to the alignment.
“Adam Read has been a vital component of the Freo and Peel partnership.
“We are excited to have him at the helm and continue what Geoff has started, particularly given the strong relationships he already has with our people.”