Wiley welcomed into Sharks' circleThursday, September 17, 2015 - 2:16 PM

The East Fremantle Football Club has announced Rob Wiley as Senior Coach of the Sharks for the next 3 years.

The club said Wiley was chosen ahead of a strong field of developing coaches from Western Australia and Victoria, citing his wealth of football knowledge spanning over 40 years in the football industry and his passion to develop young players as making him the ideal candidate to take over the coaching reins at East Fremantle.

Wiley has just completed three years in charge of Carlton’s Development & Coaching giving him the most up to date knowledge of the modern AFL techniques, which he will use to mentor the young developing coaches and players within the Club.

President Mark Stewart said the board was very pleased with the appointment and believed Wiley's ability to relate to young and senior players would be a key element in the club's 2016 success.

The Club will have one of the youngest senior lists in 2016 with the recent retirements of Rob Young, Mark McGough and Bradd Dalziell and the graduation of many talented players from its Colts program.

In accepting the role, Wiley said it is great honour to be given the opportunity to coach a club steeped in tradition.

“I look forward to working with players and staff in helping East Fremantle to once again be a force in the WAFL,” he said.

Wiley was born in Kalgoorlie and was zoned to Perth in the WANFL, making his debut for them in 1974 at the age of 19.

He won the Butcher Medal as Perth's best and fairest in his first season and was a member of premiership sides in 1976 and 1977.

In 1977 he kicked over 80 goals, despite missing nine weeks through injury. In 1979, Wiley was recruited by Richmond and played in their 1980 VFL Grand Final winning side. He returned to WA and Perth FC at the end of 1983 and played 18 games with West Coast in their inaugural year in 1987.

Wiley returned to Perth FC as a player coach in 1988 and also coached the side in 1989.  He served for many years as assistant coach with former club West Coast and was the last State of Origin coach for WA in 1998.

At the end of 2012, Wiley reunited with 1980 Richmond premiership teammate Mick Malthouse at Carlton. He was appointed to the role of director development and coaching.

Photo: Rob Wiley during his coaching role with the WAFL State 18s in 2010