WAFL: West Coast Eagles great Andrew Gaff makes return to football at South Fremantle in off-field role

South Fremantle are set to tap into Andrew Gaff’s experience and intellect as they look to defend their WAFL premiership next season. The West Australian can reveal the West Coast great has joined the Bulldogs in a newly created off-field role of performance and wellbeing coordinator. It is the first official role in football Gaff has taken up since he ended his 280-game AFL career at the Eagles in 2024. But the 33-year-old won’t be returning to the field. The move sees Gaff - West Coast’s all-time disposals leader - return to the Bulldogs for the first time since he played seven games for the WAFL club in 2011 before the alignment system was in place. Last year Gaff made a one-off appearance for Bonnie Doon in a thumping win over King Valley in the Ovens and King Football-Netball League to play alongside good mate Morgan Evans. As part of his role, Gaff will provide on-field support, helping guide players through performance processes, while also offering off-field assistance where needed, complementing the club’s growing suite of player-focused resources. His arrival strengthens an already robust wellbeing structure that includes club chaplain and welfare manager Rod Linton, Indigenous and multicultural player development coordinator Matt Parker and long-time club mentor Les Olivieri. South Fremantle football boss Charlie Burke said Gaff’s return was a major step forward for the club’s senior men’s program. “We continue to grow our program and support our players with some terrific people, and to have Andrew Gaff come back to the club after 15 years is very exciting,” Burke said. “Andrew will combine his footy knowledge to support our players on-field as well as bring his passion for wellbeing as another resource to provide support for our players. “Footy clubs are a great place to provide support to young men at an age where there are often a lot of challenges going on, and I know how passionate Andrew is about supporting players in this space.” Gaff’s mentorship will help offset the loss of several star players in Sandover medallist Haiden Schloithe, Zac Strom and former skipper Dylan Main, who all retired at the end of the season.