Fremantle will need to replace one of their most powerful off-field figures, with AFLW general manager Claire Heffernan departing the club following the end of their season.

Heffernan joined the Dockers in 2022 as a player development manager before taking over as general manager in 2024, working alongside coach Lisa Webb, and has overseen the club’s transition to their new home at the Cockburn ARC this season.

However, with that move complete and the Dockers missing finals, Heffernan has resigned from the club in order to return home to her family in Victoria.

“I’m incredibly grateful to have been part of this Club and this program; the Fremantle Football Club is a very special place,” Heffernan said.

“As a group, we have worked together with the goal of building a program to be proud of. It’s been a privilege to be part of this team, and I’ll miss being around such a special group of people every day.

“I’ll always have a special place in my heart for this team and will be watching on with pride from Victoria as the team continues to strive for success.”

As Fremantle begin the process of finding a new general manager, Dockers CEO Simon Garlick thanked Heffernan for her contribution to the club.

“She leaves with our sincere thanks and very best wishes,” Garlick said.

“She led the program through a period of real change, including the move of our home games to Cockburn and the shift to day training, and did it with great care for our players and staff.

“Family always comes first. Claire has made real sacrifices to be here, spending the past four years away from her wife Liza and stepson Javier in Victoria, and we fully support her decision to return home to them.

“We will begin the process to appoint her replacement immediately, and we’re confident the strong foundations Claire has helped put in place will serve the program well into the future.”