Live Event Q&A With Nathan Schmook

[Tonga Bob]

Hi all,

The first of the Q&Apalooza events is scheduled for next Tuesday the 3rd of March with Nathan Schmook from AFL.com.au

I'm sure you're all aware of Nathan's work over his 17 years in the AFL media landscape where, in an environment dominated by news from Victoria, he has provided a voice for WA football and for Fremantle in particular, and is somebody who we can count as a fan of the club (at least he was when we attended a Freo-Melbourne game at the MCG many years ago!!).

I ask that you make sure your questions are respectful and coherent. Your questions will be going to an actual person that you want to do well in his chosen endeavour, which is representing both the Fremantle Football Club and football in WA within the AFL media landscape to the best of his ability. Some humour is fine of course, but just think about what you would ask him in person before posing your question here so please represent us in a similar manner.

So with that in mind please post your questions to Nathan in this thread by next Tuesday, and he'll go away and answer them for us.

I'll kick things off with the first question...

How did you get into footy journalism?

And a second question because I can...

What is your favourite Fremantle-related piece of work that you've created?

OK now it's your turn. What would you like to ask Nathan?​

 

[mike91]

First off, thank you for being a voice for Fremantle in a heavily Victorian dominated sport

Do you believe WA clubs and players are get less credibility and respect? Do you see this ever changing?

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

I'll try to push the envelope a bit

"Working for afl.com.au must come with it's fair share of "direction" from up above. Do you ever find yourself frustrated at restrictions on what you can and cant report?"

 

[anchor man]

Do you see Fremantle as being the club that is leading the push for change in the AFL, at least in WA? I feel that WC are trailing.
Simon Garlick

Simon Garlick

Age

51

Ht

177cm

Wt

79kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.6

3star

K

9.4

4star

HB

4.2

3star

M

3.4

3star

T

1.7

4star

No current season stats available

D

9.6

3star

K

5.2

2star

HB

4.4

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

1.0

3star

's push for the Roos games came from Fremantle. Now he is pushing to scrub the ludicrous opening round.
Cheers

 

[Taylor]

If someone were to hand you a spreadsheet showing systematic salary cap breaches of a Victorian club, how quickly would your AFL Press Accreditation be revoked?

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

If someone were to hand you a spreadsheet showing systematic salary cap breaches of a Victorian club, how quickly would your AFL Press Accreditation be revoked?

Me:

Taylor:

 

[serial_thrilla]

Hi Nathan,

Do you listen to any footy podcasts whilst you're driving around the place? If so, do you have any recommendations?

 

[Taylor]

Me:

Taylor:

Exactly. Don't pussyfoot around Snuff. Poke him right in the chest, respectfully, and ask the question you wanted to ask.

 

[Dump Truck]

Hi Nathan!

Since you're in the footy industry, do ever feel a sense of 'footy fatigue' like many do within their own industries? I assume it's a great gig talking AFL 24/7, but how do you handle the off days where footy becomes more of a chore than a lifelong passion?

 

[largebus]

Hi Schmooky (as Damian Barrett calls you), on the same theme as some other questions here, do you think there is any concern at AFL house about the drop off in the number of WA draftees, and possible ideas to rectify it?
There were only 6 in the 2025 national draft, less than QLD and the last few years have had consistently less than SA despite its smaller population, so it cant just be a "Vicbias" issue with scouting them.

 

[serial_thrilla]

Nathan,

In your opinion, who is the best and most trusted AFL journalist in the media right now (aside from yourself, of course)?

 

[swanny1234]

Gday Nathan, in your opinion is just making finals again in 2026 enough for Longmuir to keep his job? Or does he need to go deep into September and really contend to justify continuing in his position beyond 2026?

 

[fnerd]

Yo Schmooksta’

How much cronyism still exists in the WAFC and how much of a roadblock have they been towards Freo in trying to emerge from the shadows of the WAFC’s overlords (the west coast eagles football club)even now, in the last 10 years?

 

[Paracleet]

Hi Nathan. Did you prefer the Rocket Clock or the Flower Clock?

 

[The Feeder Club]

Did he get inside the WA state of origin inner sanctum, and if so how would he rate the intensity - preseason game level, regular H&A season game level, finals level or none of the above?

 

[Nothing]

Tonga Bob please shoop as appropriate

Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?

 

[Tonga Bob]

I want to see more questions about Nathan himself, so here’s a couple more:

- Do you prefer to live in Perth or Melbourne from both a lifestyle and a work perspective?

- Which WAFL team do you support?

 

[Paracleet]

Tonga Bob please shoop as appropriate

Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?

 

[serial_thrilla]

Keep the questions coming, lads.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

After Tom Morris's Watsapp scandal, how many journo's disappeared for the day doing a deep scrub of their chats?

 

[Scatter]

What’s your thoughts on a 3rd WA team being the 20th?
As in is it likely, and also whether it is a good idea.

 

[Jezzitizle]

Who are the most impressive coaches you have interacted with, and why? Including assistants.

Don’t ever look on Bigfooty outside this Q and A, and if so what do you look at?

 

[Piggy Smalls]

If you were captaining footy in the school yard and could only pick one Reid, who would you take?

 

[fnerd]

If you were captaining footy in the school yard and could only pick one Reid, who would you take?

Riley Reid

 

[Piggy Smalls]

Riley Reid

Never heard of him