Tom Harley Biography

Charlie Gardiner will succeed Tom Harley as the Sydney's head of football.

Harley will take over from long-standing and highly-influential Swans chief executive and managing director Andrew Ireland, who will retire at the end of the year.

"He brings elite AFL experience coupled with legal and commercial acumen from his time as a senior associate at one of Melbourne's top law firms," Harley said of Gardiner.

"Charlie is an outstanding person with strong values, which clearly align with our club values."

Steve Johnson and Tadhg Kennelly will join Sydney as an assistant coaches.

"Steve Johnson and Tadhg Kennelly will bring new ideas and a fresh perspective whilst Rhyce Shaw's promotion from NEAFL coach to the senior coaching panel highlights how highly we regard him," Swans football manager Tom Harley said.

Tom Harley will become the club's chief executive at the end of 2018.

Harley, Geelong's premiership captain in 2007 and 2009, will replace long-time Swans boss Andrew Ireland - who has confirmed his intention to retire.

"When you’re involved in the AFL in Sydney you see it through a totally different lens and the Swans have reaffirmed my passion for the game, so it's a real privilege and an honour to take this opportunity," Harley said in a statement.

John Longmire signs a three-year contract extension to remain as head coach of the Swans until the end of 2020.

"There's no question that John's leadership has been a key ingredient in our team's performance, he drives high standards right across the football club," Swans general manager of football, Tom Harley, said.

"We firmly believe John is the best person to guide our young players and coach our team, as our list and the demands of the competition continue to evolve."

Brad Ottens will reunite with former Geelong captain Tom Harley after accepting a new role as coach of NSW juniors.

"I never really planned on coaching but the idea of guiding and coaching younger guys really appeals to me more than coaching at senior level," Ottens said.

"It (coaching the Rams) is something that I'm really excited to be part of; coaching the talented young blokes who are just getting started and giving them a hand and a bit of guidance.

"It will be good to pass on some of my experiences. It's something I'm looking forward to doing."

Former premiership captain Tom Harley has been appointed general manager of the AFL in NSW/ACT.

"Tom is an outstanding leader of people and is playing a vital role in developing and marketing the game in Sydney, New South Wales and the ACT," AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou said.

"This is a very important role for the AFL and we are very pleased to have someone of Tom's character and experience in such a vital market."

Kevin Sheedy says Tom Harley could graduate from project consultant to assistant coach at GWS if he has the talent and desire.

"I'm going to be really interested to find out what his knowledge is from being a wonderful captain of Geelong ... and what he can add to the values of this new club being formed," Sheedy said.

"I've got my strengths and my weaknesses, and so will Tom have. I don't know what area Tom's going to be great in, but obviously he's going to have three or four great areas."

Former Geelong captain Tom Harley will work with Team GWS in the football, corporate and marketing departments.

"I know what it means to be involved [in a new club], particularly from a player's perspective," he said.

"Now that I've moved to Sydney, I want to be a part of the growth of the game and its development in a market that's new to both me and the code.

"This is as much about the learning experience and tapping into the great resources at the AFL as it is for me sharing my knowledge and experience."

Retired Geelong captain Tom Harley will join Channel Seven as a commentator.

"The opportunity came to join Seven and I couldn't get over there quick enough," Harley said.

Geelong's dual-flag winning skipper Tom Harley has retired, leaving behind one of the best captaincy records in AFL history.

"That's it. That's game, set and match for me at the Geelong footy club as a player and I couldn't leave more content with my career at the club, where the club is right now and where it's going in the future," Harley said.

"I probably went into this year coming off a limited pre-season and with my knee, knowing it was coming to an end. I spoke to my closest mates and players, and had a few guys at the wedding and pulled them aside and said that's it.".

"It has probably evolved over the past month - it hasn't been a decision I've taken lightly which is why it's taken a while to announce".

Mark Thompson is prepared to offer dual premiership captain Tom Harley the two games he needs to reach 200 in 2010.

"I know he's got 199 games (actually 198)," Thompson said on Fox Sport's show On the Couch.

"If the AFL could allow us that one more player on the list maybe for two more weeks then we could get him to 200, which would be a significant achievement."

Geelong premiership captain Tom Harley says he still needs more time to decide whether to leave the AFL only a few days after winning the 2009 premiership with the Cats.

"I've said it all along, it's really just exhale for a couple of weeks and talk to the right people," Harley said.

"I haven't really spent any time with the coach since the game, so I'm looking forward to just sitting down and talking about all of that and making a decision."

Tom Harley says Geelong is ready for a new captain after leading the side to another grand final triumph in 2009 against the Saints but says he is still undecided about his future.

It is probably fair to say it will be the last time I will lead the side out," Harley said.

"We are probably ready for a new captain and, as far as actually playing, a decision hasn't been made.

"I think with a decision like that you have to really respect the process and speak to all the people involved."

Tom Harley says he has not made a decision on whether the 2009 grand final will be his last game.

''It could be, it could be. It's really of no concern either way as to how I approach this game - it's a grand final, and everyone plays a grand final like it's the last game of the year, because it is. But I'm not lying when I say a decision hasn't been made,'' Harley said.

Geelong will welcome back captain Tom Harley for Sunday's clash with Port Adelaide at Skilled Stadium.

Harley missed the Cats' last two games against West Coast and Fremantle - both in Perth - but coach Mark Thompson confirmed his captain had recovered with the benefit of the split round.

"He's going to play this week - he's ticked all the boxes," Thompson said.

Geelong skipper Tom Harley has more injury problems after being forced from the field against Essendon with a hamstring injury.

Geelong skipper Tom Harley is delighted to be back after seven months on the sidelines.

"You can't take it for granted because not so long ago I almost thought it was curtains because I was so far away from running at any speed, so it was just rewarding get back out there," he said after the Cats' 51-point win over the Swans.

"I had what I thought was just a scope at the end of the year, which worst case, you think is 10 weeks, and it ended up being seven months.

"It was more damage than perhaps I'd mentally set myself for. The last four weeks has come along in leaps and bounds."

Acting Geelong captain Joel Corey says he is happy that Tom Harley is returning to the side this week to resume captaincy duties.

"It was a nice change, but I was pretty much just keeping it warm for Tom and Cameron for when they got back, but it was nice to lead such a good team," Corey said.

"Being captain is not overly different. You walk out first, and you have the last say, but that's about it.

"I don't mind having the last say, but I won't mind handing it back."

Geelong is set to welcome back skipper Tom Harley and vice-captain Cameron Ling for Saturday's clash with Sydney.

"The one thing about Tommy is that he wouldn't play the game, or he wouldn't ask us to play, if he wasn't ready to play," Geelong coach Mark Thompson said regarding Harley.

"He's done a heap of running and training so his level of fitness will be up there."

Geelong's captain Tom Harley will play AFL football in round four or five, says Mark Thompson.

Geelong skipper Tom Harley looks to 2007 as inspiration as he waits on the sidelines.

A dislocated knee 12 years ago is the reason Tom Harley isn't playing this weekend.

Harley had the knee cleaned out in the off-season and was expected to be back for the NAB Cup competition, but is still sitting on the sidelines.

The Geelong skipper is hopeful that it won't be long before he's back in the battle, but said at Skilled Stadium on Thursday that a delayed start to the season was in no way a negative in terms of the year, citing the Cats' premiership season as an example.

Geelong midfielder Joel Corey is prepared to be used as a defender in the absence of Josh Hunt and Tom Harley, who have knee injuries.

Geelong president Frank Costa has entered the club's captaincy debate, backing Cameron Ling as Tom Harley's successor.

The immediate playing future of Geelong captain Tom Harley is in limbo.

Geelong captain Tom Harley won't play in the NAB Cup and faces a race against time to be ready for the Round 1 Grand Final re-match.

Geelong captain Tom Harley has declared himself a certain starter for the first game of the AFL season, against premiers Hawthorn.