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AFL Commission

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AFL Commission
SportAustralian rules football
JurisdictionAFL, controlled entities and affiliates.
Founded1985
HeadquartersAFL House, 140 Harbour Esplanade, Melbourne Docklands
ChairmanRichard Goyder
ReplacedAustralian National Football Council
Official website
www.afl.com.au
Australia

The AFL Commission is the governing body of the Australian Football League Limited (AFL), its subsidiaries and controlled entities. Richard Goyder has been chairman since 4 April 2017, replacing Mike Fitzpatrick.

It was formed in 1985 as the VFL Commission, and gained its current name in 1990 in conjunction with the renaming of the VFL competition to the Australian Football League.

Its constitution self-proclaims the commission to be the "keeper of the code" responsible for the sport of Australian football. As part of its role, the Commission is responsible for the Laws of Australian Football. It is also responsible for worldwide player acknowledgement through the Australian Football Hall of Fame, All-Australian team and World (formerly All-International) Team.

The Commission controls the AFL competition and maintains a professional talent pathway for players through the AFL Draft, AFL Draft Combine, AFL Academy and academies through its member clubs and affiliated bodies, Underage Men's and Underage Women's championships, the Australian Football (AFL) International Cup and through its worldwide affiliates, numerous regional representative tournaments.

The Commission organises the highest level of representative competition in Australia, being responsible for senior State of Origin competition from 1991 to its cessation in 1999.[1] Since 1998, it has also overseen Australia's involvement in the International Rules Series.

History

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Move toward an independent governing body for the competition was first moved in December 1984 during the fallout of VFL president Allen Aylett's resignation following the South Melbourne Football Club's financially disastrous move to Sydney.[2][3] The club, managed from Melbourne but playing in Sydney,[4] had lost large amounts of money in Sydney and large loans had been written out by the league to keep them viable which was impacting the finances of the competition.[5]

Under Jack Hamilton, the first Chief Commissioner, the VFL began a restructuring toward a franchise model whereby member clubs operate licenses owned by the league.[6] The model helped make private ownership of the Swans possible in 1985,[5][7] as well as selling new licenses (resulting in the Brisbane Bears and West Coast Eagles in 1987). Under the new model, many Melbourne clubs struggling for financial viability such as St Kilda, Fitzroy and North Melbourne could be kept afloat by a combination of private ownership and league subsidies from the sale of new franchises and television rights.[8][9][10][11] The restructuring paved the way for the VFL's expansion into a national competition.[12] Despite continuing financial troubles at many clubs including the Swans and Footscray, the Commission was able to turn the competition's finances around by 1989, aided by increased television rights and the sale of $4 million licenses to interstate expansion clubs.[13] Under the VFL Commission, all players became fully professional for the first time in its history.[14]

Scope of governance

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The AFL Commission has been responsible for the administration of the AFL competition since 1993, when the AFL Board of Directors voted itself out of existence after 96 years of operation. Its constitution self-proclaims the Commission to be the "keeper of the code" responsible for the sport of Australian football.

The Commission later became responsible for the national administration of the sport (since 1995, when the Australian National Football Council ceased operations after 89 years), as well as its international administration (since 2002, when it absorbed the International Australian Football Council) and the administration of women's football (since 2010, when it took over the operations of Women's Football Australia, which ceased operations in 2015).

Leagues affiliated with or owned by the AFL Commission have names beginning with AFL, and incorporate the AFL logo, and now owns the governing body for Australia's most populous eastern region through the AFL NSW/ACT and has strong affiliations with all other states. The AFL also promotes and brands the sport under its own name instead of the official name of Australian Football, especially in developing areas where the sport is not well known and the AFL has a major stake in the local governing bodies.

The ten commissioners are elected by the 18 AFL clubs, with each of the 18 clubs entitled to make nominations, but other Australian Football leagues, associations and clubs do not have any control or representation.

The AFL Commission's primary role is to oversee the profitability of its competitions, its primary competitions being the AFL and AFL Women's. As such, it has a direct stake in many of its member clubs.

It also approves the administration of new club licenses, and has been involved in the expansion of the national competition since 1987, being instrumental in the merger that created the Brisbane Lions. The Commission also fully owns the Greater Western Sydney Giants. Other clubs to have an AFL Commission appointed board include the Sydney Swans, the Gold Coast Suns, Adelaide Football Club and Port Adelaide Football Club. The Commission operates a Competitive Balance Fund, which redistributes profits to the clubs most in need to help ensure that all of its member clubs are financially sustainable in the long-term.[15]

Financially, the Commission is highly co-dependent on the success of the AFL and the majority of its funding comes from AFL competition broadcasting rights. The 2025-2031 rights will earn $4.5 billion, the most lucrative in Australian sporting history. The Commission distributes some of the profit from these rights into development of the game.

However, the majority is invested in ensuring that the AFL continues to sustain its future revenues, such as protecting the primacy of the competition, as well as growing its broadcast audience, talent pathways and professionalism to attract the best available players (from junior development programs and high performance athletes from around the world).

As part of its role, the Commission is responsible for the Australian Football Hall of Fame, the AFL men's underage championships and AFL Women's underage championships. It was also responsible for senior State of Origin competition from 1991 until it ended in 1999.[16]

Role in national and international game development

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The Commission was formed to set policy, and has directed the VFL/AFL (known then as the VFL) as the game's most professional league since December 1985.

In 1993, the AFL Commission assumed control of the league's administration from the AFL Board of Directors (in effect, the 15 AFL clubs at that time). Subsequently, the board of directors voted itself out of existence, and a new Memorandum and Articles of Association were adopted for the AFL. It also assumed national governance of the sport (see Principle 2 below) after the ANFC ceased operations in 1995.

This was a significant change of power: between 1985 and 1993, the Commission had required explicit approval by a 75% vote of the League (the teams) for major items such as further expansion, mergers, relocations, and major capital works.

The AFL also created an International Policy in 2005, and absorbed the International Australian Football Council, thus gaining control of the sport worldwide.

In its role as national and international governing body, the AFL Commission also controls and delegates development funding for Australian state and international bodies and leagues. As most of this funding is sourced the revenue and activities associated with the AFL competition, much of the funding is directed to the competition's developing markets. Semi-professional state competitions are generally self-sufficient, and receive a much lower percentage of the AFL's funding. The Commission has established a pathway that features junior Academies and scholarships from representational level up to its member clubs. The highest level is the AFL Academy, with academies for each state being managed by their respective AFL clubs and affiliated governing bodies.

Between 2010 and 2021, the AFL spent between $6–38 million per annum (under 5% of total revenue) on game development grants globally (excluding a one-off COVID-19 Pandemic community football recovery package). With a new TV rights deal in 2022 and to help the game at the grassroots continue its recovery post COVID-19 Pandemic, the Commission increased its community grants to $67 million.[17]

Management of Official Player Recognition for the Sport

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Organisation structure and members

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The AFL Commission has a simple structure. There are formal corporate titles for members which currently consists of a chairman, whose role is to oversee meetings, and a chief executive officer, who typically also oversees the operations of the Australian Football League.

Commissioners are elected by the 18 AFL clubs, who each are entitled to make nominations. Should an election be necessary, then the membership is decided by a vote of the AFL clubs. Under the current constitution, the member clubs have the power to veto commission decisions with a two-thirds majority vote.

Current membership

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The current membership of the Commission is:

Name Current Role Appointed
Richard Goyder Chairman 2017
Andrew Dillon Chief Executive Officer 2023
Paul Bassat Commissioner 2011
Kim Williams Commissioner 2014
Major General Simone Wilkie Commissioner 2015
Jason Ball Commissioner 2015
Andrew Newbold Commissioner 2016
Gabrielle Trainor Commissioner 2016
Robin Bishop Commissioner 2017
Professor Helen Milroy Commissioner 2018

All-time membership

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Chief Executive Officers

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Chairmen

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Executive Commissioners

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Commissioners

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Life members

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  • Colin Carter (2009)
  • Graeme Samuel (1995)

Club and Competition Intervention

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The AFL Commission has also become involved in Australian Football League matters on occasion, both on and off-field. Sometimes these interventions have been in controversial circumstances.

On the field

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Off the field

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The commission has become involved when players or a club bring the game into disrepute, including:

Expansion

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The AFL Commission has a role in undertaking assessments of expansion clubs and awarding new licences including:

The Commission owns a stake in the Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney clubs.

Member club viability

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The AFL Commission manages a special fund called the Competitive Balance Fund (CBF) since 2004 as a grant of up to $5 million per club to ensure that member clubs remain financially viable.

The system was later changed to the Annual Special Distribution (ASD) of $6.3 million shared among all clubs,[52] as well as allowing for grants and special concessions, such as payments, to ensure that the AFL member clubs remain viable in the short term. In 2006, the Commission approved a $2.1 million special financial assistance package for Carlton.

In response to clubs increasingly relying on and applying for special funding, in 2008, the Commission recommended removing the fund altogether,[52] but after considerable club protests led by three struggling clubs, the Western Bulldogs, Melbourne and North Melbourne, CEO Andrew Demetriou announced that the ASD would remain.

In early 2009, it increased Melbourne's assistance from $250,000 to $1 million and made a $1 million grant to Port Adelaide.[53]

References

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  1. ^ "Salmon and Brans ruled out". The Canberra Times. Vol. 65, no. 20, 487. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 16 May 1991. p. 28. Retrieved 20 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ "AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL Aylett quits Swans". The Canberra Times. Vol. 59, no. 18, 029. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 7 February 1985. p. 26. Retrieved 9 September 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "'Misunderstood' Aylett quits VFL presidency: no apologies". The Canberra Times. Vol. 59, no. 17, 966. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 6 December 1984. p. 1 (SPORTS SECTION). Retrieved 9 September 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL Swans face more drama". The Canberra Times. Vol. 59, no. 18, 018. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 27 January 1985. p. 5 (SPORT). Retrieved 9 September 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ a b "AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL Swans decision expected soon". The Canberra Times. Vol. 59, no. 18, 085. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 4 April 1985. p. 20. Retrieved 9 September 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Franchise system mooted for VFL". The Canberra Times. Vol. 59, no. 17, 980. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 20 December 1984. p. 20. Retrieved 9 September 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "VFL talks on offer for Swans". The Canberra Times. Vol. 59, no. 18, 031. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 9 February 1985. p. 51. Retrieved 9 September 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "St Kilda may be put up for sale". The Canberra Times. Vol. 59, no. 18, 093. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 12 April 1985. p. 25. Retrieved 9 September 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ "Fitzroy sells shares to survive". The Canberra Times. Vol. 61, no. 18, 635. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 9 October 1986. p. 24. Retrieved 9 September 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ "St Kilda groggy after shirtfront by creditors". The Canberra Times. Vol. 61, no. 18, 849. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 13 May 1987. p. 36. Retrieved 9 September 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ "Share float planned by Roos". The Canberra Times. Vol. 60, no. 18, 587. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 22 August 1986. p. 23. Retrieved 9 September 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ "Green light given to VFL clubs for national league". The Canberra Times. Vol. 60, no. 18, 571. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 6 August 1986. p. 44. Retrieved 9 September 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ "VFL income all-time high". The Canberra Times. Vol. 63, no. 19, 496. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 22 February 1989. p. 45. Retrieved 9 September 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. ^ "Timeline of VFL/AFL Broadcast Rights". Footy Industry. 28 July 2014. Archived from the original on 30 October 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  15. ^ The AFL, NRL, A-league and Privatisation
  16. ^ "Salmon and Brans ruled out". The Canberra Times. Vol. 65, no. 20, 487. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 16 May 1991. p. 28. Retrieved 20 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  17. ^ AFL announces major increase in community football investment 28 August 2022
  18. ^ "Murphy out, Hawks pay heavy price". Melbourne: Essendon Football Club. 9 June 2004. Archived from the original on 22 July 2005. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
  19. ^ "A fine day for the AFL". Melbourne: Essendon Football Club. 9 June 2004. Archived from the original on 23 July 2005. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
  20. ^ "Hawks lose both players and respect". Melbourne: The Age. 11 June 2004. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
  21. ^ "Ugly Swans' flag hopes at half-mast". Sydney Morning Herald. 30 May 2005. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  22. ^ Port Adelaide's Tom Jonas gets six-week suspension from AFL tribunal for hit on Andrew Gaff, ABC, 24 May 2016
  23. ^ "Brisbane won't hold any grudges towards Jeremy Cameron after errant elbow on Harris Andrews". news.com.au. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  24. ^ Beveridge, Riley (18 June 2019). "'Remorseful and embarrassed' Hawk banned for pinching, stomping". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  25. ^ Cherny, Daniel (31 August 2021). "Toby Greene verdict LIVE updates: AFL unhappy as GWS star banned for three matches". The Age. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  26. ^ "'Not a good look for the game': Toby Greene banned for three games over umpire bump". www.abc.net.au. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  27. ^ Lusted, Peter (7 October 2021). "GWS Giants' Toby Greene suspended for six AFL games for making contact with an umpire". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  28. ^ Brice, Rebecca; Biggs, Harvey (10 April 2024). "Power forward Jeremy Finlayson suspended for three matches by AFL for 'unacceptable' homophobic slur". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  29. ^ De Silva, Chris (20 August 2024). "Port Adelaide star Dan Houston handed five-match ban at AFL Tribunal for brutal hit on Izak Rankine". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  30. ^ If the Cap fits – Blueseum. Published 12 November 2006. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  31. ^ afl.com.au
  32. ^ "Fevola joins Lions' pride". ABC Sport. 9 October 2009. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
  33. ^ Harris, Amelia; Warner, Michael (13 April 2010). "Ben Cousins takes full responsibility for his actions after punching teammate Daniel Connors in Sydney fracas". Herald Sun. The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  34. ^ "Tigers sack Connors, suspend Martin". The Age. Melbourne.
  35. ^ Ralph, Jon (3 August 2011), "How Melbourne tanked in 2009", Herald Sun, Melbourne, VIC, retrieved 10 November 2011
  36. ^ Carlton midfielder Brock McLean reveals he left Melbourne Demons because the club was tanking, 30 July 2012, retrieved 20 February 2013
  37. ^ "Demons tanked: McLean". The Age. 30 July 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  38. ^ Hayes, Mark; Timms, Daryl (31 July 2012). "AFL to interview Brock McLean over tanking claims". Herald Sun. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  39. ^ Rucci, Michelangelo (7 August 2012). "Tearful Brett Duncanson gone but his exit will be delayed". Herald Sun. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  40. ^ "Primus gone as Port Adelaide coach". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 6 August 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  41. ^ Ryan, Peter; Walsh, Gary; Conway, Mark; Phelan, Jennifer (17 June 2013). "Neeld sacked". Australian Football League. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  42. ^ Dampney, James (13 May 2014). "Toby Greene charged over night club incident". AFL Official Website.
  43. ^ Niall, Jake (14 November 2016). "Lachie Whitfield agrees to six-month ban for illicit drug code breach, Graeme Allan, Craig Lambert to be banned for one year". Fox Sports Australia. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  44. ^ Laughton, Max (22 December 2016). "GWS Giants lose draft points, fined by AFL Commission after being found guilty over Lachie Whitfield saga". Fox Sports (Australia). News Corp Australia. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  45. ^ "Nathan Broad apologises over photo of topless woman wearing Richmond premiership medal". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 30 October 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  46. ^ "Young Swan suspended for rest of season for COVID breach". AFL.com.au. 15 August 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  47. ^ Zita, David; Raphael, Angie (2 December 2020). "Sacked Swan Elijah Taylor sentenced as details of brutal treatment revealed". Fox Sports Australia. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  48. ^ "Carlton CEO Cain Liddle parts ways with the Blues as club continues search for new coach". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 10 September 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  49. ^ "Carlton sacks AFL coach David Teague after review finds club 'underdelivered'". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 26 August 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  50. ^ Kalinic, Dejan (25 July 2024). "'He missed the mark': Giants star reprimanded for MRO criticism". Australian Football League. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  51. ^ Sutton, Ben (17 October 2024). "Shock new details emerge as AFL bans six players in GWS Giants' party scandal". Seven News. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  52. ^ a b "The Courier Mail | Breaking News Headlines for Brisbane and Queensland | the Courier Mail".
  53. ^ "The Advertiser | Latest Adelaide and South Australia News | the Advertiser".
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