“Stick to the process” – lessons from Justin Longmuir on leadership, resilience and success
POSTED November 5 2026 , News, Parents & Community, Sports
Students, parents, staff and members of our wider community recently gathered at St Mary’s for an inspiring afternoon with Fremantle Dockers’ Head Coach Justin Longmuir, who shared insights into leadership, culture and the mindset required to achieve sustained success.
Hosted by 9News Perth Sports Reporter and Old Girl Bonnie Raynor (’10), the event offered a fascinating look behind the scenes of one of the AFL’s leading clubs and the values that underpin high performance both on and off the field. Bonnie expertly facilitated the event, eliciting valuable insights and engaging stories from Justin’s playing and coaching journey.
Drawing on his experiences as both a player and coach, Justin spoke candidly about the importance of building strong cultures founded on trust, accountability and shared purpose. While many people focus on results, he emphasised that lasting success comes from committing to the process: focusing on the daily habits, behaviours and standards that ultimately drive outcomes.
Throughout the discussion, Justin reflected on the challenges of leading a large team through periods of expectation, pressure and adversity. He spoke about staying focused on what you can control, highlighting resilience, consistency and character as essential qualities for navigating setbacks and achieving long-term goals. Reflecting on Fremantle’s heartbreaking loss in the 2026 AFL Grand Final, Justin said the club’s focus for 2027 is not to dwell on the result, but to stay committed to the process and the standards that got them there.
A recurring theme of the afternoon was the importance of values-driven leadership. Justin shared how clear values help guide decision-making, strengthen team culture and create environments where individuals feel supported to contribute their best.
Guests also heard about the role teamwork plays in high-performing organisations, with Justin noting that success is rarely the result of individual effort alone. Instead, it is built through strong relationships, collective accountability and a willingness to place team goals above personal ambitions.
The conversation also touched on the importance of balance and wellbeing, sharing how he doesn’t always get it right during the season given the all-consuming nature of his job, but tries to find as many opportunities as he can in the off-season to recharge, enjoying pursuits such as woodwork.
The afternoon supported the Fremantle Dockers’ Purple Hands Foundation, which aims to support at-risk and disadvantaged youth, particularly those coming from low socio-economic backgrounds and living in regional and remote communities. In addition to the proceeds raised from ticket sales, the School was delighted to make an additional donation of $8,000 to help the Foundation continue its work empowering young people to overcome barriers, develop important life skills and realise their full potential through the power of sport.
The event left guests with a clear message: success is not determined by a single result, but by the commitment, discipline and character demonstrated every day along the journey. By trusting the process and staying true to their values, individuals and teams are better positioned to achieve meaningful, lasting success.
We are grateful to Justin for sharing his time and insights so openly, and for the honesty and authenticity that made the afternoon both engaging and impactful.