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Sean Garlick
Sean Garlick
Sean Garlick
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Sean Garlick (born 6 August 1969) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer, former policeman, former actor and now a businessman.[1] He was educated at Matraville High School from which he graduated in 1987. He began his career as a policeman before becoming a rugby league footballer.[2] A La Perouse Panthers junior, he went on to captain Easts as well as the Rabbitohs in his final season with the Club in 1999.

Key Information

Background

[edit]

Sean Garlick was born in Sydney, Australia.

  • South Sydney 1990–93 and 1997–99 – 91 first grade games plus 5 replacements. 14 tries for 56 points.
  • Eastern Suburbs 1994–96 – 59 first grade games plus 5 replacements. 3 tries for 12 points.

Garlick represented South Sydney from 1990 to 1993 before shifting to arch-rivals, the Eastern Suburbs Roosters, from 1994 to 1996. He returned to the Rabbitohs for three seasons from 1997 to 1999. Garlick was Rabbitohs’ captain in 1999 when the Club was excluded from the National Rugby League and was a leading figure in the Club's efforts to return the Rabbitohs to the elite level of the game. When South Sydney returned to the fold 2002, Garlick was made the Club's Football Operations Manager.

Garlick is currently part of the National Rugby League's NRL Judiciary panel.[3]

A part time actor, he starred in the movie Fortress (1985) with Rachel Ward and in the movie Nightmaster (1988) with Nicole Kidman. He also starred in the series Home and Away (1991) and Rescue: Special Ops (2010).[4]

Sean Garlick is the CEO of Garlo's Pies the company he founded in 2001.[2]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Sean Garlick

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from Grokipedia
Sean Garlick (born 6 August 1969) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer, actor, police officer, sports commentator, and entrepreneur, renowned for his multifaceted career spanning entertainment, law enforcement, sport, and business. As a hooker, he played 160 first-grade matches in the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL), Australian Rugby League (ARL), and National Rugby League (NRL) competitions between 1990 and 1999, primarily for the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters, and captained both clubs during pivotal periods. A La Perouse junior who represented New South Wales Primary Schools in 1981 and graduated from Matraville High School in 1987, Garlick was graded by Souths in 1988, making his first-grade debut in 1990, and later balanced his athletic pursuits with a 13-year tenure as a New South Wales police officer. Garlick's rugby career highlights include leading the Roosters in 1995—selected over future Test captain by coach Phil Gould—and captaining Souths in 1999 amid the club's controversial exclusion from the NRL, after which he advocated for its 2002 reinstatement as football operations manager. He scored 14 tries across 97 games for Souths (1990–1993, 1998–1999) and 3 tries across 64 games for the Roosters (1994–1997), for a total of 17 tries, earning life membership with Souths in 2011 and later serving on the NRL judiciary panel. Paralleling his sports endeavors, Garlick appeared in Australian television and film as a , with roles in the 1985 movie Fortress, the soap opera (1991), and the series (1994). Post-retirement, he transitioned to sports commentary for networks including , Channel Seven, and Radio , while chairing the South Sydney Players’ Association since 2008. In 2001, Garlick co-founded Garlo's Pies with his father Terry and brother Nathan—drawing from the family nickname "Garlo"—starting as a single pie shop in Maroubra, , inspired by Nathan's experience as a pastry cook. The family-owned business expanded rapidly, opening multiple stores and shifting to wholesale markets by the mid-2000s and beginning exports in , achieving an annual turnover of $15 million as of 2016 through distribution in major supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths, as well as international sales to , the , , the South Pacific, and the . Today, as managing director, Garlick oversees operations from , , where the company produces a range of pies, sausage rolls, and baked goods, maintaining its status as a prominent Australian brand and sponsor of the Rabbitohs.

Early life

Upbringing

Sean Garlick was born on 6 August 1969 in , . He spent his early childhood in the La Perouse area of 's eastern suburbs, a region known for its vibrant community and proximity to coastal recreational activities. Growing up in this environment, Garlick was exposed to the local sports scene, particularly , as a junior player from La Perouse who represented Primary Schools in 1981. His family, including father Terry Garlick and brother Nathan, were rooted in the area, fostering a connection to the region's cultural and athletic traditions. During his teenage years, Garlick's interests in and began to take shape, leading to early opportunities in both fields. He pursued as a child performer, appearing in productions that highlighted his entry into Sydney's scene. Simultaneously, his passion for grew through local rugby involvement, setting the stage for future professional pursuits. He later transitioned to formal education at Matraville High School.

Education

Sean Garlick attended Matraville High School in , a co-educational comprehensive with a focus on sports education. He graduated from the school in 1987. During his high school years, Garlick actively participated in the school's renowned sports programs, particularly , which helped develop his skills as a hooker and led to him being graded by the in 1988 shortly after graduation. The school's emphasis on athletic excellence provided a strong foundation for his later professional career. Garlick balanced his academic commitments with an early acting role, appearing as Sid O'Brien in the 1985 Australian thriller film Fortress, directed by Arch Nicholson, when he was a high school student. This debut came amid the supportive environment of his Sydney upbringing, where family encouragement allowed him to pursue diverse interests in sports and performing arts.

Entertainment career

Acting roles

Sean Garlick began his acting career at the age of 16 with a debut role in the 1985 Australian film Fortress, directed by Arch Nicholson, where he played Sid, a teenage student defending his school from a group of escaped convicts alongside Rachel Ward. This early performance occurred during his high school years and marked his entry into Australian cinema with a character embodying youthful determination. In 1987, Garlick appeared in the television series Rafferty's Rules, portraying the character Tim in an episode of the legal drama. He followed this with a small but physical role as Stave Opponent in the 1988 action film Nightmaster (also released as Watch the Shadows Dance), starring , where his athletic build suited the competitive scene involving staff versus student confrontations. Garlick's television work continued in 1991 with a as Guy in episode 837 of the Home and Away, contributing to the show's storylines centered on coastal community drama. By 1994, he took on recurring roles as various police , including Constable Moran and Constable Withers, in the high school drama series Heartbreak High, leveraging his later real-life experience in to portray authoritative yet relatable figures. His final credited acting role came in 2010, playing Firie, a , in the episode "A Day in the Death of Dean Gallagher" of the action-drama series Rescue: Special Ops. Across these performances, Garlick's on-screen presence consistently reflected his real-world athletic persona from , often casting him in physically demanding or energetic parts that highlighted resilience and action-oriented narratives in Australian media.

Media appearances

Following his retirement from professional , Garlick pursued a career in sports media, serving as a commentator for Vision and over a five-year period. He also made guest appearances on Channel Seven's Footy Grandstand and Radio , providing analysis on NRL matches and related topics. Garlick maintained visibility in broadcast media through continued appearances on Channel Nine's The Footy Show after hanging up his boots, leveraging his playing experience for panel discussions and segments on league history. In 2025, Garlick participated in Sporting News Australia's "From Then To Now" series, where he reflected on his career transitions from captaincy to with Garlo's Pies, emphasizing lessons in resilience and . That same year, amid promotional efforts for Garlo's Pies, Garlick engaged in interviews highlighting his business journey. Garlick's media profile extended to family-oriented rugby content in 2025, particularly following the May announcement of his son Bronson Garlick's two-year signing with the for 2026–2027, which spotlighted the generational Rabbitohs legacy in club promotions and news coverage.

Rugby league career

Club playing career

Garlick began his professional career as a hooker with the , making his first-grade debut in 1990. During his initial four seasons with the club from 1990 to 1993, he played 58 games, scoring 8 tries and accumulating 32 points. In 1994, Garlick moved to the Eastern Suburbs Roosters, where he featured in 12 games and scored 1 try for 4 points, serving under new coach Phil Gould. He remained with the club, which was rebranded as the Sydney City Roosters in 1995, for the following three seasons from 1995 to 1997, appearing in 52 games and scoring 2 tries for 8 points during that period. Garlick returned to the Rabbitohs in 1998 and continued playing through 1999, contributing to 38 games with 6 tries and 24 points; he served as club captain in his final season. The Rabbitohs' exclusion from the (NRL) competition at the end of 1999 marked the end of his playing career, amid a concerted club effort led by figures like Garlick to seek reinstatement, which was ultimately achieved in 2002. Over his entire NRL career spanning 1990 to 1999, Garlick played 160 first-grade games for the two clubs, scoring 17 tries for a total of 68 points, with an overall win percentage of 38.75%.

Leadership roles

Sean Garlick served as captain of the in 1995, having been selected by coach Phil Gould over , and later captained the in 1999, leading the team during a pivotal season that preceded the club's exclusion from the (NRL) competition. This period marked a for the foundation club, as it fought to maintain its place in the top-tier league amid contraction efforts by the NRL. Garlick played a prominent role in advocating for the Rabbitohs' reinstatement, contributing to the grassroots campaign that ultimately secured the club's return after a two-year absence. Following his retirement from playing in 1999, Garlick transitioned into an administrative role with the Rabbitohs upon their readmission to the NRL in , where he was appointed Football Operations Manager. In this position, he oversaw key aspects of the club's football department during its rebuilding phase, helping to stabilize operations after the exclusion period. Garlick has also contributed to NRL governance as a member of the league's Judiciary panel, a body responsible for adjudicating player disciplinary matters. He has served on the panel for multiple seasons, including in 2009, 2018, and 2021, participating in high-profile hearings that influence standards of conduct and fairness across the competition.

Law enforcement and business career

Police service

Following his graduation from Matraville High in 1987, Sean Garlick joined the in 1988. In his early roles, he performed general duties as a in , including initiatives to build local trust and address everyday public safety concerns. Garlick served full-time as a for 13 years from 1988 until 2001, balancing his duties with his professional career, which began with his first-grade debut for South Sydney in 1990. This period briefly overlapped with his early acting gigs, such as appearances on in 1988.

Business ventures

After retiring from his rugby league and police careers, Sean Garlick transitioned into entrepreneurship by co-founding Garlo's Pies in 2001 with his father and brother Nathan, establishing it as a family-oriented food business specializing in handmade meat pies from a small shop in Maroubra, . The venture began modestly, producing around 100 pies per day using traditional recipes focused on quality ingredients, and quickly gained traction through local sales and word-of-mouth. Under Garlick's leadership as CEO and managing director, the company expanded significantly, achieving national distribution across Australia by supplying major retailers and achieving an annual turnover of approximately $15-20 million by the mid-2010s. Key post-2010 milestones included a 2009 partnership with Coles supermarkets for broader retail presence, a trial supply deal with 26 McDonald's outlets in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory around 2016, and international exports to markets like the United States, New Zealand, and Asia. Production scaled dramatically to 4,000 pies per hour by 2013, supported by a relocation to a 4,000-square-meter facility in Kingsgrove, Sydney, in 2016, which doubled operational capacity and employed over 70 staff. Garlick's business philosophy emphasizes , in product offerings—such as healthier variants with reduced sodium, no MSG, and lean meats—and learning from operational mistakes to foster sustainable growth, while prioritizing staff retention and networking to build partnerships. Drawing parallels between the discipline of his rugby background and production, he has noted that "football people and people were pretty much the same," highlighting a shared focus on and consistency. The company's resilience was evident during the , when demand for its products surged, further solidifying its position in the Australian food market. As of 2025, Garlick remains managing director, and the company continues to operate from , maintaining its export markets and retail partnerships.

Personal life

Family

Sean Garlick has been married to Garlick since the early 1990s. The couple's partnership has provided mutual support through Garlick's shifts from professional rugby to and , including their shared survival of the , which strengthened their family bond during challenging transitions. Garlick and Samantha are parents to three sons: Jackson, Bronson, and Campbell. Their middle son, Bronson Garlick (born December 19, 1995), followed in his father's footsteps by pursuing a professional career as a hooker, playing for the in the 2025 NRL season before signing a two-year contract with the for 2026 and 2027. Bronson's entry into the sport reflects the family's shared passion for , which has influenced Garlick's guidance in his son's development amid his own post-playing career pursuits. The Garlick family has played a central role in supporting Sean Garlick's entrepreneurial transition after his retirement from at the end of 1999, particularly through their collective involvement in founding and operating Garlo's Pies, a family-owned established in 2001. joined the venture early on as a key contributor, alongside Sean's brother Nathan and sister Dana, helping transform it from a small retail shop into a major wholesaler supplying retailers like Coles and institutions such as the Australian Navy. The sons have also contributed to the operations, with Bronson serving in sales management, underscoring the family's ongoing commitment that has sustained the business's growth and provided stability during Garlick's career pivots.

Later involvement

Following his retirement from formal professional roles, Sean Garlick has maintained an active presence in media and commentary, particularly reflecting on his career. In August 2025, he guest-starred on the "How's That? - The Podcast," where he discussed his time with the and , as well as the transition to entrepreneurship with Garlo's Pies. Earlier in June 2025, Garlick appeared on Fanatics CHIMING IN, a sports discussion program, sharing insights into his diverse career spanning , policing, and . Garlick has engaged in community initiatives through rugby and business-related . As a former Rabbitohs captain, he contributes to the club's legacy by participating in storytelling features that inspire younger players, such as the "Classic Tales" series highlighting family involvement in the sport. Through Garlo's Pies, his family-owned business, he supports local sports by maintaining long-term membership in the South Sydney Leagues Club and sponsoring community rugby events, including provisions for junior teams in the 2024 season. Post-2020, Garlick's public record shows no major health challenges, allowing him to focus on these ongoing contributions up to 2025, with family members actively supporting his endeavors in business and community work.

References

  1. https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/content/captain-in-focus-sean-garlick
  2. https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/sean-garlick/summary.html
  3. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0307588/
  4. https://garlospies.com.au/home/
  5. https://www.smartcompany.com.au/entrepreneurs/how-former-rugby-star-sean-garlick-created-garlos-pies-a-15-million-family-business/
  6. https://www.ssralmanac.com/mobile/players_g/player_garlick_sean.htm
  7. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091069/
  8. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092433/
  9. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0173443/
  10. https://www.tvguide.com/movies/nightmaster/cast/2030348186/
  11. https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/from-running-on-rugby-league-fields-to-acting-on-the-hollywood-big-screen/news-story/6d50096c6562b824b06fb1c072f30a16
  12. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108800/
  13. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1682035/
  14. https://www.sportingnews.com/au/other-sports/news/sports-legends-australia-rugby-league-cricket-cult-heroes/dszhz2wh6qsxxpa9tlmfsuyx
  15. https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/bronson-garlick-south-sydney-contract-storm/775cceab8703afa744334f4a
  16. https://www.roosters.com.au/history/timeline/1990-1999/
  17. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/long-march-back-from-the-brink-20120817-24duc.html
  18. https://www.theroar.com.au/2022/08/20/the-best-south-sydney-players-who-never-played-representative-football/
  19. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/backgroundbriefing/south-sydney-vs-the-national-rugby-league/3470430
  20. https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/top-5-rabbitohs-of-the-1990s
  21. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-03-06/judiciary-members-stood-down-by-nrl/1610704
  22. https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/09/25/melbourne-storm-fullback-billy-slater-may-be-under-judgement-of-former-teammate-at-nrl-judiciary/
  23. https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/06/01/as-it-happened-nrl-judiciary---kaufusi-leilua-plead-cases/
  24. https://rocketreach.co/sean-garlick-email_34214216
  25. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/taking-league-by-force-20050305-gdkv2o.html
  26. https://au.linkedin.com/company/garlos-pies
  27. https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/inner-west/easy-as-pie-for-garlos-founder-sean-garlick/news-story/f1400f542b132d18ddc3c717129dcb9c
  28. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8765925/Retired-NRL-star-hit-jackpot-selling-unusual-food-item-blew-pandemic-hit-Australia.html
  29. https://www.businessnewsaustralia.com/articles/five-lessons-on-entrepreneurship-and-family-business-from-garlo-s-pies.html
  30. https://au.linkedin.com/in/sean-garlick-a4864218
  31. https://garlospies.com.au/
  32. https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/we-were-just-so-lucky-back-in-bali-friends-and-family-pay-their-respects-20221012-p5bp3i.html
  33. https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/2025/05/23/garlick-to-depart-storm-at-end-of-2025/
  34. https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/rabbitohs-sign-bronson-garlick-for-seasons-2026-and-2027
  35. https://www.investsmart.com.au/investment-news/it-pays-to-keep-eyes-on-the-pies/104899
  36. https://open.spotify.com/episode/3LM2fYPYJcKJf5kdnPZ4XZ
  37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pibl44uprq8
  38. https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/classic-tales-with-sean-garlick
  39. https://footyindustry.com/docs/South%2520Sydney%2520Member%2520Co.%25202024%2520Annual%2520Report.pdf
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