FORMER CAPTAIN RETURNS TO LEAD ONCE MORE

The Perth Football Club is delighted to announce that former club captain Adrian Barich has been appointed President of the club.

Barich will take over from Bob Shields who steps down after four years. The club would like to thank the outgoing President for his service.

He’ll be remembered by Demons fans for helping to end a record 23-year finals drought in 2020, bringing further financial stability and negotiating a landmark southern suburbs zone for the club.

Perth announced Barich would take over as president following Shields last duty of business at the Annual General Meeting on December 13.

Barich played 160 games for Perth from 1984-1994 and is a life member of the club and a former best and fairest winner.

He was elected unopposed and ensures a seamless transition into the next phase of the club’s evolution.

Barich has both the passion and skill set to guide this club and believes his main challenge is to help improve the clubs on field performance so that a premiership becomes a reality.

He also wants to ensure the clubs new facilities are completed in a timely fashion and that Perth can say a fond farewell to the clubrooms they have occupied since 1959.

Barich wants to maximise the financial opportunities that the new clubrooms will provide while also re-engaging with our members, fans and the local community.

Barich said, “It’s an honour to be appointed President of the Perth Football Club. I’m excited about the challenge and can’t wait to work with all the club’s stakeholders to make the Demons strong and successful.”

“This is the perfect time for me to give back to a club that has been such a big part of my life. I believe Peter German as senior coach will help drive standards within the team and from what I’ve seen already, the dual premiership WAFL coach is doing an outstanding job”.

“The quality of our assistant coaches and off field support is building each week as Germo continues to put together his off-field team.”.

The new President thanked out-going Directors Kerrie-Ann Pendal and Mark Treasure who have been long time servants of the Club. Treasure was given Life Membership at the AGM along with Vice President John Dorazio and former player Chris Mitsopoulos. Barich also welcomed former player and Westpork Chairman Andrew Young and business leader Travis Burrows to the board and congratulated returning members Brian Cook and Troy Cook..

The WAFC CEO Michael Roberts also welcomed Barich’s elevation to the Presidency.

“Adrian Barich is very well credentialled WA media identity and has the support of the WAFC in leading the Perth Football Club Board as it moves to take the Club into an era of sustained competitiveness”.

“Adrian’s extensive football experience and his passion for the Perth Football Club means he has the right skills to lead the Demons”.

The WAFC is confident Adrian will work well with CEO Russell Clark and new coach Peter German.

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