Dockers great joins Sharks in massive coaching coup

Fremantle champion Paul Hasleby has joined East Fremantle as senior coach in a massive coup for the club and competition.

The Sharks announced the signing on Tuesday afternoon, with Hasleby to replace 2026 ATCO WAFLW premiership-winning coach David Eames.

Hasleby returned to East Fremantle last season in an assistant coaching role for the club’s HART Sport Rogers Cup side, where he daughter Stella featured, helping the team reach the grand final before going down to Swan Districts in a thriller.

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He also coached South Fremantle’s WAFL side for three seasons from 2012 to 2014.

“He already has a strong connection with our women’s program and particularly the emerging players coming through Rogers Cup, which was an important consideration for us.”

“We have an exciting young group and a strong pathway underneath it. Paul’s ability to communicate, develop players and bring people together makes him an excellent fit for where we want to take the program.

“This is an opportunity to build on what was achieved in 2026. We are incredibly proud to be the reigning WAFLW premiers, and our focus now is on continuing to develop the program and creating sustained success.”

Bromage paid tribute to the outgoing Eames’ achievements, highlighted by a fairytale WAFLW flag in his only season in charge.

“Winning a premiership is an outstanding achievement and David should be extremely proud of the role he played in delivering that success,” Bromage said.

“David leaves having coached East Fremantle to a WAFLW Premiership and we sincerely thank him for his commitment and contribution to the Club.”