Overview
- Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick invited McManus on his Nova radio show on Monday to ask him to take the presenting role and the club confirmed the appointment after McManus accepted.
- McManus immediately said he was honoured and broke down in tears on air, a moment widely shared by local media and fans.
- The honour is conditional: McManus will hand the premiership cup to captain Alex Pearce and coach Justin Longmuir only if Fremantle defeats Brisbane in Saturday’s grand final.
- Club discussions had considered other past players such as Nat Fyfe and David Mundy while Matthew Pavlich was ruled out because he is now Sydney Swans CEO; Peter Bell was Fremantle’s presenter in 2013.
- McManus is a foundation Docker who played 228 games, became a life member and later worked in off‑field roles, a selection meant to tie the club’s origins to its current bid for a first AFL premiership and to galvanise supporters and players.