Former AFL Player Shane Woewodin says he’s glad to be back at in a new role at East Fremantle as Football Manager. 

He replaces Brad Dodd who departed the club at the end of the season for a similar role at Perth.

Woewodin’s appointment follows a long line of changes to the leadership at the Sharks, with 1998 Sandover medallist Adrian Bromage also recently appointed as CEO permanently. 

Speaking to SportFM following his appointment, Woewodin says he is looking forward to this new challenge. 

“I had an opportunity when Adrian Bromage, now the new CEO, gave me a call and asked me to see if I was interested to take on this role as GM of footy with Brad Dodd departing,” he said. 

“I thought it was a great opportunity for myself, really to get back to the footy club, assist where I can and get some positivity going.”

“It’s just great to get back. It’s exciting. It’s a new challenge for me and to get some positivity around the place. I’m looking forward to it.” 

East Fremantle is familiar stomping ground for Woewodin, spending two season there before being picked up by Melbourne in the 1997 AFL pre-season draft and winning the club best and fairest in 2006. 

He also coached the club in 2008, before pursuing an AFL coaching career in 2010 with Brisbane. 

More recently, Woewodin has been involved in PSA football, through part-time coaching roles at Wesley and Aquinas, but has sought to get back into footy full time. 

“This whole last 12 months has been a little bit of a stepping stone trying to work hard to get back into full-time footy,” said Woewodin. 

“The opportunity was there and after sitting down with Adrian and a few others within the club. It’s just one good to get back but also give back as well. 

“For a long time I’ve had a couple of roles and different roles over the time but I want to get back and help out and assist where I can and I’m looking forward to jumping on with Adrian and the board and seeing what we can do.” 

The past three seasons for East Fremantle have been tumultuous, with instability and uncertainty clouding the club regarding their redeveloped playing facilities. 

Last week, Minister of Sport and Recreation David Templeman welcomed East Fremantle back into their facilities, declaring the redevelopment as complete. 

Woewodin says he wants to help drive positivity and get the club back on track after three rough years spent nomading around Perth. 

“I want to get back and help the club. I can sit back for the last three or four years and look back and go, what’s going on down there and what’s happening and why aren’t we doing this?” he said. 

“I thought ‘nah, bugger this,’ I’m going to get back and help out and try and drive it forward and create some positivity. There’s some stability now back in the facility so that’s great for the players and staff and our members. 

“Enough of a negative talk, let’s do all positive and do what we can do, what we can make of it and drive a successful club.” 

IMAGE: EFFC