Fremantle assistant coach Anthony Rock in 2017. Picture: AFL Photos

FREMANTLE has cut ties with high performance boss Jason Weber and assistants Michael Prior and Anthony Rock effective immediately. 

The trio were informed they wouldn't be required for the 2021 restructure and came to an agreement to depart and not join the Dockers' relocation to Cairns from next week. 

Weber had been the subject of recent criticism following soft tissue setbacks for Michael Walters and Nat Fyfe and an injury list that includes Joel Hamling, Alex Pearce and Sam Sturt out for the season. 

Prior (defence) and Rock (stoppages and structures) were both on one-year deals for 2020 as the Dockers resisted major change under new coach Justin Longmuir. 

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It leaves their full-time panel of assistants at Josh Carr (midfield) and David Hale (forwards), with Longmuir to take on a large portion of the defence for the final five games of the season.

"We are taking this course of action now out of respect for people who are long-term servants of the club and who had sought clarity about their futures at Fremantle," Dockers chief executive Simon Garlick said.

"There is never an ideal time in these situations but given the team's relocation to Cairns next week, once the decision had been reached regarding Jason, Michael and Anthony, we wanted to provide them with the clarity they are entitled to and deserve. 

"It was therefore mutually agreed that they would not be required to fulfill their duties for the remainder of the 2020 season. 

ROUNDS 13-18 Check out the full fixture

"It was also appropriate, given the uncertainty surrounding football in general, that they be advised as soon as practicable to allow them the chance to explore alternative opportunities. 

"Both Jason and Michael have been highly valued long-term employees with 12 years of service, playing important roles during the most successful period in the club's history, and Anthony has been a highly regarded and important member of our coaching team since joining Fremantle in 2016. 

"On behalf of everyone at the club, we thank Jason, Michael and Anthony for their significant contributions over a long period of time and wish them all the best for the future." 

It was therefore mutually agreed that they would not be required to fulfill their duties for the remainder of the 2020 season

- Simon Garlick

The Dockers are expected to make a host of changes to their football department with the soft cap in spending to be reduced by more than $3m going into next season.

"Justin will take on responsibility for the defensive unit, which we already know is one of his strengths, while stoppages and structures will be shared by the rest of the coaching team," Garlick said. 

"We also have a highly capable support team in our medical and high-performance area who will share responsibility for our player strength and conditioning."

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