Following a review of the club’s list management, recruitment and talent identification operations the club is pleased to announce the appointment of David Walls to the new role of head of player personnel.

General manager of football Peter Bell said that Walls was an integral part of Fremantle’s football operations.

“Following the trade and draft periods we reviewed our structures and identified the need for a senior role to oversee both player acquisition and retention,” Bell said.

“The appointment of David Walls to the position of head of player personnel is well earned and well deserved.

“He has excelled as our national recruiting manager for the past six years and has been an integral part of our recruiting team since 2008.

“He will remain based in Victoria and work closely with the rest of our recruiting and talent identification team from our Melbourne office.”

Walls, who led Fremantle’s recruiting team at the 2019 NAB AFL National Draft where the club secured three top 10 draft picks, said he was excited about the role.

“I love the club, I’ve been with them a long time and this role is a great opportunity,” Walls said.

“There’s a lot of great people and I really believe we are on the right track.

“There’s been a bit of change both off-field and on-field and I feel the club is heading in the right direction toward success”

With the introduction of the new senior position, the list manager role will no longer form part of the football operations structure. As a result, list manager Mark Micallef will depart the club.

Bell thanked Micallef for his time at the Fremantle Dockers.

“Mark has worked very hard for our club over the past year and I want to thank him for his contribution and wish him all the best,” Bell said.