Fremantle have appointed Australian basketball legend Damian Martin to oversee their AFL Leadership program, where he will work closely with the player leadership group while also overseeing player leadership development and the football trademark.

Highly respected for his leadership as captain of the Perth Wildcats across eight NBL seasons, Martin led the WA franchise to the ultimate success in five of his six NBL championship wins.

Renowned as a fierce and courageous competitor, Martin retired as one of the greats of Australian basketball, playing 342 games in 13 NBL seasons and representing Australia at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

He also won the NBL’s Best Defensive Player award a record six times. Upon retiring at the end of the 2019-20 season, the league named the trophy in honour of Martin.

Fremantle’s Executive General Manager of Football Joe Brierty said the Club is thrilled to have Martin join the Club.

“We are delighted to welcome someone of Damian’s character and expertise into our AFL program,” said Brierty.

“It’s clear how highly respected he was as a competitor and leader by the Perth Wildcats, Australian Boomers – plus the wider Australian basketball community – and those traits will be a great asset to our Club.

“His passion and expertise inspired teammates on and off the court so we can’t wait to tap into that knowledge.

“We’ve been talking to Damian for some time and can’t wait to welcome him, his wife Brittany and their three daughters Maggie, Bonnie and Poppy to the Freo family for next season and beyond.”

Martin joins Fremantle on a two-year contract and the 40-year-old says he can’t wait to begin his new role.  

“I’ve been weighing it up for a while now, and the more I thought about it, the more motivated I became to get involved,” Martin said.

“I genuinely believe the Fremantle Dockers can achieve something special, so if I can contribute, even in a small way, it was hard to turn my back on that opportunity.

“I’m not coming in with any preconceived ideas whatsoever.

“I’m a big believer in ‘know your role, embrace it, do it to the best of your ability,’ and then I’ll be looking for ways in which I can help.”