Latest news with #GregSwann
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
AFL revives key think-tank for ‘evolution'
The AFL has made another big move towards leaning on clubs to guide the league future by reinstituting the AFL Competition Committee which could be loaded with senior players. Three years after leading players including Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield were part of the committee, first introduced in 2018 to guide discussion around decision-making on key aspects of the future of the game, it's back. It comes after AFL CEO Andrew Dillon added two club bosses, Brisbane's Greg Swann and Sydney's Tom Harley, to the league executive, evidence of a nod to the information and experience coming out of clubland. Swann, the AFL's new football performance boss, football operations boss Laura Kane and AFL commissioner and veteran administrator Andrew Ireland will be key members of the new-look committee. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon and Greg Swann . Michael Klein Credit: News Corp Australia That trio will be joined by a strong representation of names and faces from around the game to 'make assessments, canvass views, test theories and provide comments and recommendations regarding the AFL Competition'. Those views would then go to the AFL Commission, the ultimate decision maker. 'During its time, the AFL Competition Committee previously provided great insight and thinking around all aspects of the game and has helped shape the evolution of the game,' Dillon said. 'There is no one closer to the game than our players, coaches and key club personnel, and I'm keen for our football department to continue building on these relationships across the board. 'Beyond the members of the committee, I want to continue to engage a broader group consisting of past players and media, to provide their feedback and insights so we can collect as much information as we can and workshop it. Then, from a head office point of view, we can move quickly and appropriately on the things that are most important and need to be implemented going forward.' The make-up of the new committee is currently being confirmed and will be announced shortly.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Senior AFL players could be involved in the re-born AFL Competition Committee
The AFL has made another big move towards leaning on clubs to guide the league future by reinstituting the AFL Competition Committee which could be loaded with senior players. Three years after leading players including Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield were part of the committee, first introduced in 2018 to guide discussion around decision-making on key aspects of the future of the game, it's back. It comes after AFL CEO Andrew Dillon added two club bosses, Brisbane's Greg Swann and Sydney's Tom Harley, to the league executive, evidence of a nod to the information and experience coming out of clubland. Swann, the AFL's new football performance boss, football operations boss Laura Kane and AFL commissioner and veteran administrator Andrew Ireland will be key members of the new-look committee. That trio will be joined by a strong representation of names and faces from around the game to 'make assessments, canvass views, test theories and provide comments and recommendations regarding the AFL Competition'. Those views would then go to the AFL Commission, the ultimate decision maker. 'During its time, the AFL Competition Committee previously provided great insight and thinking around all aspects of the game and has helped shape the evolution of the game,' Dillon said. 'There is no one closer to the game than our players, coaches and key club personnel, and I'm keen for our football department to continue building on these relationships across the board. 'Beyond the members of the committee, I want to continue to engage a broader group consisting of past players and media, to provide their feedback and insights so we can collect as much information as we can and workshop it. Then, from a head office point of view, we can move quickly and appropriately on the things that are most important and need to be implemented going forward.'
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
AFL match review officer wants more options when it comes to suspensions but defends crackdown on dangerous tackles
The AFL's match review officer is hoping to get 'more levers' to bridge the gap between lengthy and small suspensions but remains adamant the game is better for a crackdown on dangerous tackles. Michael Christian also moved to debunk a theory that the outcome of incidents, particularly concussions, was the starting point for reports, declaring the bump and tackle remained 'integral' parts of the game. A three-week ban given to North Melbourne's Paul Curtis for a run-down tackle that resulted in a concussion for Port Adelaide's Josh Sinn sparked widespread debate, with some coaches labelling it the 'perfect tackle'. Christian defended the suspension but conceded there could be more flexibility in the table that landed on an automatic three-week ban, something he hoped would be fast-tracked by the arrival of former Brisbane Lions chief executive Greg Swann on the AFL executive. But Christian also said the MRO's own review of the past three years made it clear that players had adapted to the crackdown on dangerous tackles and refined techniques to ensure they remained part of the game. 'We did a review after round of 12 of 2025, looking at the past few years. In 2023 there were 20 tackling suspensions, last year there were seven, this year there were three,' Christian said. 'We've had this situation where players have really adapted incredibly well to exercising a duty of care to their opponent. 'The game allows you to bump and allows you to tackle, it's an integral part of the game, but there needs to be a duty of care. 'In 2023, it was a real shift in terms of trying to clamp down on players, asking them to exercise a duty of care in the tackle. 'As the focus became defensive and on tackling, we tended to see people hurt. 'I would defy anyone who watches the game now, you can see the players when they tackle, they do exercise a large degree a duty of care.' Christian said the players were in no doubt what was expected of them when it came to executing tackles despite having only 'split seconds' to make decisions. 'You can pin both arms, but you have to try, before that player's head hits the ground, try and loosen or release that grip,' he told SEN. 'The tackle can still be effective, but you've got to try and minimise the risk of injury by loosening or letting go in that downward action. To try and turn the player on to their shoulder to minimise the risk of head injury.' The AFL has vowed to review the MRO operation that has so far this year given three-week bans to players for tackles that resulted in concussions, only for Fremantle captain Alex Pearce, whose bump ended with the same result, to be cleared at the tribunal. It's a move Christian has welcomed, as he made it clear a concussion to one player would not always result in a suspension to the other player involved in the incident. 'I think, as many levers as I can have, it's appreciated,' Christian said. 'The AFL have put it on the table this is something they are looking at closely. 'There's no doubt there are highly careless acts and some probably at the low end of being careless. That extra discretion would be helpful. 'The absolute first point of call for me is to assess the conduct of an action. It's not all outcome based. Yes, outcome becomes a factor when an action is deemed reportable. 'Then impact does have a significant say, as in the Curtis case, but the act first needs to be reportable.'
West Australian
13-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles can build on 13th game in Perth to achieve genuine AFL fixture reform
At the risk of putting the mozz on the campaign to reduce travel inequity throughout the AFL, it's been an incredibly positive 12 months and the momentum is charging in the right direction. Remember last season when an argument was raised that the WA clubs getting access to business class seats was evidence that they aren't disadvantaged by travel? Fremantle and West Coast shot down that claim with immense power and precision, and have since locked away an extra game in WA from 2025-27 while creating more opportunities for extra games into the future. The Dockers and Eagles have long felt like they were banging their heads against a wall in regards to travel, but some of those bricks are starting to crumble. They were constantly getting fixtured to play in Geelong, Tasmania, Canberra or the Northern Territory and even the lack of direct flights to Gold Coast, had them spending extra time en-route to games. But now they've worked out a deal to take charter flights around Australia and have convinced the AFL to predominantly schedule day matches when on the road so they can fly home later that night. Finding somewhere to train in Victoria has been a constant problem .But the Dockers were granted access to both Marvel Stadium and the MCG at times this season. They're small but significant wins.. From little things, big things grow. And the biggest thing is having more games in Perth. Eagles fans will hate this, but last weekend's loss to North Melbourne was the perfect result for the travel campaign. The Kangaroos gave up a home game and still won. Had they sold two games and lost both, there would have been an immediate cry from the other side of the country that the move was too big an advantage for the WA clubs. Fremantle beat North Melbourne in Victoria last year and have started this round clearly higher than them on the ladder, so there's likely to be less angst if the Dockers win on Saturday. Fremantle beat Gold Coast and GWS on the road before the bye so would have gone into the Roos' clash as favourites regardless of location. Both WA clubs know how important this deal is. The Dockers missed the finals by one win last season. Carlton finished eighth and played 17 games in Victoria. Fremantle played only 12 in WA. The Blues flew 13,588km throughout last season. Fremantle covered 53,784km for their interstate flights. Those flights, lost hours and lost days add up. It feels like the AFL and the clubs are starting to gain an appreciation for the plight of a travelling team. This month's AFL appointments will only increase that understanding. Brisbane CEO Greg Swann is now running footy. He started his career in Victoria at Collingwood and Carlton but then spent a decade in Queensland. He understands the travel challenge. Sydney CEO Tom Harley is also moving to the AFL as Chief Operating Officer. His portfolio is large but includes Competition Structure plus strategic initiatives including Gather Round and Tasmania. His focus will be on more than just Victoria. Chairman Richard Goyder is from Western Australia. Former Docker Matt de Boer joined the AFL Commission in 2023. They're key voices in key positions. Even the Victorian clubs are filled with influential people who understand travel and will find it hard to keep a straight face if they argue against change. Essendon CEO Craig Vozzo previously worked at West Coast. Bombers coach Brad Scott played for Brisbane. Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell played and then was an assistant at the Eagles. Ross Lyon coached Fremantle before returning to St Kilda. Geelong coach Chris Scott is a former Dockers assistant and played his entire career at the Lions. Craig McRae also played for Brisbane. Michael Voss was his captain. Voss then coached Brisbane before heading to South Australia where he worked for Port Adelaide and then getting appointed as Carlton coach. Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin is a former Adelaide captain. That's a large group of key people across a range of Victorian clubs. Other developments include club CEOs travelling to Perth for a meeting last year. They'll soon gather on the Gold Coast for another meeting. Those discussions have nearly always been in Victoria. Everyone knows the AFL isn't an even competition. There are compromises and inequity everywhere you look Victorian clubs have an advantage when it comes to re-signing players or recruiting them through trades/free agency. Why? Because the majority of draftees come from Victoria and we're constantly seeing players asking to go home. Not having to travel to win a premiership is a clear advantage. Victorian clubs have won the flag in eight of the last 10 grand finals where they've played an interstate opponent. When all of the evidence is laid out, it is hard to argue against. Which means building momentum by mounting a compelling argument that others can't shoot down is so important when trying to instigate change. The message is getting through and it's not just Fremantle and West Coast who are shouting from the rooftops. Momentum has never been stronger for travel/fixture reform.
News.com.au
03-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
The six big agenda items for Greg Swann
Greg Swann is joining AFL headquarters and the Midweek Tackle team have identified six big agenda items for the league's new football performance executive.
