Sydney, I loved you but now I see what you really are
As CEO of the Tasmanian Small Business Council, Robert Mallett supports the idea: "The common myth is that it is an AFL stadium. Sure, AFL matches will be played there, but in reality, it is genuinely a multipurpose stadium with the ability to host a range of sports and events (still negotiating with cricket) which will turbocharge the Tasmanian visitor industry to an extent never before seen. Plenty of opportunity to lift Tasmania even higher in the employment and economic stakes. Maybe nearly enough to stop mainlanders complaining about how much GST they provide to us."
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The Age
2 hours ago
- The Age
He walked away from footy 11 years ago, but this key figure has Andrew Dillon's ear
Andrew Demetriou virtually disappeared from the AFL landscape for close to a decade following his 2014 exit from the game's top job, not even showing up to receive his prestigious life membership at the 2015 season launch. Demetriou's attitude was that once he was out he was out. He left a clear path for his nominated and obvious successor Gillon McLachlan who had already begun to make changes and key appointments during Demetriou's final months, and when he did attend footy games he sat in the stands with his family. The former AFL CEO finally returned to a major football function at the 2022 Geelong-Sydney grand final in deference to McLachlan's departure – the latter in fact remained for an extra season – and it was clear to those who spoke to him that day that, although Demetriou had been physically absent from footy, he remained as finely attuned as ever to the sport's politics ranging from clubs to head office. At the end of the 2023 season he flew to Sydney to attend the Giants' last home game, where he was awarded life membership of the AFL's youngest club, but in between those two ceremonies it was Demetriou's work behind the scenes which had a more significant impact upon the game. Andrew Dillon was already the favourite to replace McLachlan and would probably have won the appointment without the support of his former AFL boss and mentor, but there is no doubt that once Demetriou realised Brendon Gale would struggle to win the support from Richard Goyder's commission, he threw his considerable assistance and behind-the-scenes advice Dillon's way. Demetriou and his long-time friend and AFL commissioner Bill Kelty have been something of a kitchen cabinet over the past year, and specifically in recent months, for Dillon, who took some time to act but has, over the past four weeks, demonstrated considerable fortitude in the face of a looming clubs revolt against the game's headquarters. When Dillon was spotted lunching in East Melbourne two weeks ago with Demetriou, Kelty and his immediate predecessor McLachlan he had already moved a significant way towards the transformative staff restructure that rocked the game's Docklands headquarters. Six days earlier, after Robert Walls' funeral, Dillon met Greg Swann and began what proved a significantly speedy process to install Swann as his key football lieutenant. But in the days that followed the Il Duca lunch came a renewed attempt to poach Stuart Fox from the MCC. Swans boss Tom Harley had been a preferred candidate among a small group to become the AFL's chief operating officer, but Dillon and his chairman Goyder had first approached Fox six months earlier and decided to try him one more time before making their final choice. Demetriou, too, contacted Fox, who reconsidered but finally declined the offer on June 3.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
He walked away from footy 11 years ago, but this key figure has Andrew Dillon's ear
Andrew Demetriou virtually disappeared from the AFL landscape for close to a decade following his 2014 exit from the game's top job, not even showing up to receive his prestigious life membership at the 2015 season launch. Demetriou's attitude was that once he was out he was out. He left a clear path for his nominated and obvious successor Gillon McLachlan who had already begun to make changes and key appointments during Demetriou's final months, and when he did attend footy games he sat in the stands with his family. The former AFL CEO finally returned to a major football function at the 2022 Geelong-Sydney grand final in deference to McLachlan's departure – the latter in fact remained for an extra season – and it was clear to those who spoke to him that day that, although Demetriou had been physically absent from footy, he remained as finely attuned as ever to the sport's politics ranging from clubs to head office. At the end of the 2023 season he flew to Sydney to attend the Giants' last home game, where he was awarded life membership of the AFL's youngest club, but in between those two ceremonies it was Demetriou's work behind the scenes which had a more significant impact upon the game. Andrew Dillon was already the favourite to replace McLachlan and would probably have won the appointment without the support of his former AFL boss and mentor, but there is no doubt that once Demetriou realised Brendon Gale would struggle to win the support from Richard Goyder's commission, he threw his considerable assistance and behind-the-scenes advice Dillon's way. Demetriou and his long-time friend and AFL commissioner Bill Kelty have been something of a kitchen cabinet over the past year, and specifically in recent months, for Dillon, who took some time to act but has, over the past four weeks, demonstrated considerable fortitude in the face of a looming clubs revolt against the game's headquarters. When Dillon was spotted lunching in East Melbourne two weeks ago with Demetriou, Kelty and his immediate predecessor McLachlan he had already moved a significant way towards the transformative staff restructure that rocked the game's Docklands headquarters. Six days earlier, after Robert Walls' funeral, Dillon met Greg Swann and began what proved a significantly speedy process to install Swann as his key football lieutenant. But in the days that followed the Il Duca lunch came a renewed attempt to poach Stuart Fox from the MCC. Swans boss Tom Harley had been a preferred candidate among a small group to become the AFL's chief operating officer, but Dillon and his chairman Goyder had first approached Fox six months earlier and decided to try him one more time before making their final choice. Demetriou, too, contacted Fox, who reconsidered but finally declined the offer on June 3.
West Australian
3 hours ago
- 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.
