Fremantle chief executive Simon Garlick has categorically dismissed any links to West Coast's impending vacant CEO position.
The Eagles are currently on the hunt for a new chief following Trevor Nisbett's concession that 2024 will represent his last year at the helm. Further, Nisbett stated in August that his 2024 stint may not last the entire year.
West Coast registered a horror season in 2023, finishing with a record of three wins and 20 losses and accepting their second wooden spoon in club history.
Nisbett's position, along with that of senior coach Adam Simpson, had been under fire for most of the year as a result of the team's poor on-field performance. However, Simpson has been officially backed by the Eagles' higher-ups to continue as West Coast's mentor heading into the 2024 campaign.
Garlick, Fremantle's current CEO, has been linked to the Eagles as a possible successor to Nisbett.
A former Bulldog and Swan during his playing days, Garlick has plenty of experience in the CEO role. In 2010, he joined the Bulldogs as their CEO for four years. After a brief AFL hiatus, he was appointed CEO of the Dockers in 2019.
Speaking to reporter Adam Papalia on Wide World of Sports, Garlick confirmed he would not consider joining the Eagles despite reports surfacing his name as a possible CEO candidate.
"Absolutely not ... I wouldn't say so much flattering as humorous given you get attached to things that you haven't contemplated or certainly been approached about," Garlick said.
"I did feel a little bit uncomfortable.
"I think I was put in one of Trevor Nisbett's ill-fitting suits which I wasn't overly pleased with, to be frank.
"Just let that one slide, you know what sort of a role I'm fortunate enough to be playing at [Fremantle] and how significant of an investment we're making. Clearly, wholly and solely focused on that."
Whilst Garlick is evidently not an option for the Eagles, current Swans assistant coach Don Pyke previously expressed his interest in the role.
Pyke played 132 games for the Eagles across eight seasons, having been a member of both the 1992 and 1994 premiership sides. Post-playing career, Pyke moved into coaching at Claremont from 1999 to the end of 2000.
After a five-year hiatus, Pyke joined the Adelaide Crows in 2005 as an assistant coach. He resigned from the Crows and sought a move back to the Eagles in 2013, where he worked as an assistant under current Eagles senior coach Adam Simpson.
At the end of the 2015 season, Pyke was appointed as the Adelaide Crows senior coach, leading his side to a grand final appearance in 2017. Following controversies at the Crows, Pyke eventually landed at the Swans in 2021 as an assistant under John Longmire.
Earlier in September, Pyke confirmed his interest in the Eagles' role while speaking to The West Australian.
"I've spoken to the club. The announcement on Wednesday is that Trevor is not going ahead after next year and I was asked if I was interested," said Pyke.
"I have some interest depending on what the role and the process entails and in my eyes what they're looking for because it's got to match all parties."
The Eagles will continue their CEO hunt as they plan for life after Nisbett.