Justin Longmuir: Biography, Coaching Career, and Family

Few AFL careers come full circle quite like Justin Longmuir’s. Drafted by Fremantle in 1998, he played his entire 139-game career in purple before returning as senior coach in 2020. But his story isn’t just about football — it runs through the Longmuir name, with brother Troy having carved his own path in the league. Here’s a grounded look at his biography, family ties, coaching contract, and the questions fans keep asking.

Age: 44 (born 21 January 1981) ·
Height: 197 cm ·
Club: Fremantle Football Club (senior coach) ·
Playing career: 2001–2011 (Fremantle) ·
Brother: Troy Longmuir (former AFL player) ·
AFL Life Membership: Achieved in 2024

Six key facts, one pattern: Justin Longmuir’s career has been almost entirely Freo-shaped — as player, assistant, and now head coach.

The table shows a one-club trajectory: drafted, played, now coaching — all at Fremantle.

Are John Longmuir and Justin Longmuir related?

Troy Longmuir: Justin’s brother

• Justin Longmuir’s only known sibling in AFL circles is his brother Troy Longmuir, a former AFL player who suited up for Fremantle and West Coast (Wikipedia (free encyclopedia)).
• Troy played 57 games across six seasons before retiring in 2006.

Who is John Longmuir?

• No individual named John Longmuir appears in any public biographical record as a relative of Justin. The surname is not uncommon, but there is no documented family link (Wikipedia (free encyclopedia)).

The implication: If you hear “John Longmuir” in AFL chat, it’s almost certainly a case of mistaken identity — Justin’s family tree has Troy at its branch, not John.

How much does Justin Longmuir earn?

Justin Longmuir’s coaching salary

• Exact salary figures are not publicly disclosed. However, Fremantle Football Club confirmed in 2024 that Longmuir’s contract will transition to an ongoing employment agreement after 31 October 2025 — a move designed to provide “protection and security” (Fremantle Football Club (official club website)).
• The AFL reported that the new deal includes guaranteed security plus bonus incentives (AFL (national league governing body)).

Comparison with other AFL coaches

• During the 2024 season, commentator Kane Cornes ranked Longmuir among AFL coaches in a public analysis — though no specific dollar figure was provided.

The trade-off: Fans who want salary transparency won’t get it from Fremantle’s books, but the club’s willingness to lock him in long-term signals they see him as worth the investment.

The pattern: Fremantle is betting on continuity over transparency — a calculated gamble on Longmuir’s long-term value.

What AFL team did Justin Longmuir play for?

Justin Longmuir’s playing career at Fremantle

• Longmuir was recruited by Fremantle with pick 2 in the 1998 national draft and played his entire AFL career at the club (Wikipedia (free encyclopedia)).
• He kicked 166 goals in 139 games, mainly as a key forward, and was Fremantle’s leading goalkicker in 2001 (Wikipedia (free encyclopedia)).
• A memorable moment: Longmuir reportedly kicked a goal after the siren to beat St Kilda in 2005 (Wikipedia (free encyclopedia)).

Playing statistics

The numbers underline his role as a key forward who delivered in big moments.

The pattern: Longmuir was a one-club player — rare in the modern era — but a chronic knee injury cut his career short at age 26.

What is Justin Longmuir known for?

Coaching achievements

• Longmuir was appointed Fremantle senior coach in September 2019, taking over from Ross Lyon (Wikipedia (free encyclopedia)).
• He previously spent nine years as an assistant coach at West Coast and Collingwood (Wikipedia (free encyclopedia)).
• At the end of 2024, Longmuir had a 50.5% winning percentage from 107 games and one finals campaign (AFL (national league governing body)).

AFL Life Membership

• In 2024, Longmuir was awarded AFL Life Membership, a recognition of his combined service as player and coach (Fremantle Football Club (official club website)).

The catch: Life Membership rewards longevity, but Longmuir’s winning record still needs a finals breakthrough to match the honour.

When did Justin Longmuir retire?

Retirement as a player

• Longmuir retired at the end of the 2011 season at age 26, after a chronic knee injury hampered his output (Wikipedia (free encyclopedia)).

Transition to coaching

• He moved immediately into coaching, first as an assistant at Hawthorn (2012–2014) and then West Coast (2015–2019), before returning to Fremantle as head coach (Wikipedia (free encyclopedia)).

The catch: Longmuir’s playing window was narrow, but that early exit forced him into coaching sooner — and that head start may have saved his career from being a footnote.

The timeline traces a career that never left Fremantle’s orbit — from draft pick to life member.

“My purpose is to support my family and bring success to the Freo family.”

— Justin Longmuir, speaking on his contract extension in 2024 (Fremantle Football Club (official club website))

“The ongoing agreement better reflects mechanisms for coaches to ensure protection and security for them and their families.”

— Fremantle Football Club, announcing Longmuir’s contract transition (Fremantle Football Club (official club website))

For Fremantle supporters, the choice is clear: stick with a coach who knows the club inside out, backed by a contract that rewards long-term stability. The alternative — starting over — would risk the continuity Longmuir has built. For the man himself, the path is equally defined: keep winning games, or face a tougher conversation when that guaranteed security kicks in post-2025.