He walked away from footy 11 years ago, but this key figure has Andrew Dillon's ear
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
'Rage' drives 'Punky' as end looms for Hawks great
Luke Breust may, or may not, be familiar with the work of iconic Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. They certainly share the same sentiment, with the three-time Hawthorn premiership forward determined to "rage, rage against the dying of the light". The 34-year-old, a two-time All-Australian and one of the best small forwards of his generation, announced on Thursday this season will be his last. Former teammate and current Hawks coach Sam Mitchell has no doubt Breust will stay in the game, probably as a coach, but there is unfinished business with the Hawks seventh on the ladder and yet to confirm a finals berth. "He spoke really nicely and gently (to teammates) ... until we started talking about the rest of the season. He had just that little bit of rage behind his eyes," Mitchell said. "He's still burning to make sure he can achieve as much and help us achieve as much as we can." Known as "Punky", Breust is the game's ultimate cult figure and Mitchell added he was the rarest of beasts - an AFL player with no enemies. Hawks fans sound as though they are booing when they roar his name after he kicks a goal. "He's as good a person as I've ever met, and anyone has ever met in footy. I don't think you'll ever meet anyone who says 'I don't know about that Luke Breust' - he's universally loved," Mitchell said. The small forward returned to the senior team for last week's win over Collingwood for a career total of 306 games. He and fellow forward, and good friend, Jack Gunston are the only veterans on their list to play in Hawthorn premierships. Breust and Gunston played in the 2012-15 grand finals, winning three flags. He is among nine Hawks to reach 300 games and his 307th this Saturday in the game against Melbourne at the MCG will put him equal with Mitchell at third on the club list. Breust has kicked 552 goals, seventh-highest at Hawthorn, and he made the 2014 and '18 All-Australian teams. But his impact at Hawthorn goes well beyond his significant on-field exploits. "If you could make your culture around the type of club you want to be and the type of person you want to be, Luke Breust is perfect,' Mitchell said. Hailing from the small NSW country town of Temora, Breust proved a bargain-basement selection when the Hawks recruited him with the No.47 pick in the 2008 rookie draft. He did not make his debut until 2011. Mitchell said for all the support Breust received when he was starting, he has paid that forward 10-fold. "I said to the players 'who has he helped?' Every player put his hand up, no hesitation, straight away," he added. Such is Breust's standing at Hawthorn that despite only playing six senior games so far this season, he remains a co-vice captain. "He's not this big, look-at-me personality, so he probably hasn't been celebrated as much outside of us," Mitchell said. Luke Breust may, or may not, be familiar with the work of iconic Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. They certainly share the same sentiment, with the three-time Hawthorn premiership forward determined to "rage, rage against the dying of the light". The 34-year-old, a two-time All-Australian and one of the best small forwards of his generation, announced on Thursday this season will be his last. Former teammate and current Hawks coach Sam Mitchell has no doubt Breust will stay in the game, probably as a coach, but there is unfinished business with the Hawks seventh on the ladder and yet to confirm a finals berth. "He spoke really nicely and gently (to teammates) ... until we started talking about the rest of the season. He had just that little bit of rage behind his eyes," Mitchell said. "He's still burning to make sure he can achieve as much and help us achieve as much as we can." Known as "Punky", Breust is the game's ultimate cult figure and Mitchell added he was the rarest of beasts - an AFL player with no enemies. Hawks fans sound as though they are booing when they roar his name after he kicks a goal. "He's as good a person as I've ever met, and anyone has ever met in footy. I don't think you'll ever meet anyone who says 'I don't know about that Luke Breust' - he's universally loved," Mitchell said. The small forward returned to the senior team for last week's win over Collingwood for a career total of 306 games. He and fellow forward, and good friend, Jack Gunston are the only veterans on their list to play in Hawthorn premierships. Breust and Gunston played in the 2012-15 grand finals, winning three flags. He is among nine Hawks to reach 300 games and his 307th this Saturday in the game against Melbourne at the MCG will put him equal with Mitchell at third on the club list. Breust has kicked 552 goals, seventh-highest at Hawthorn, and he made the 2014 and '18 All-Australian teams. But his impact at Hawthorn goes well beyond his significant on-field exploits. "If you could make your culture around the type of club you want to be and the type of person you want to be, Luke Breust is perfect,' Mitchell said. Hailing from the small NSW country town of Temora, Breust proved a bargain-basement selection when the Hawks recruited him with the No.47 pick in the 2008 rookie draft. He did not make his debut until 2011. Mitchell said for all the support Breust received when he was starting, he has paid that forward 10-fold. "I said to the players 'who has he helped?' Every player put his hand up, no hesitation, straight away," he added. Such is Breust's standing at Hawthorn that despite only playing six senior games so far this season, he remains a co-vice captain. "He's not this big, look-at-me personality, so he probably hasn't been celebrated as much outside of us," Mitchell said. Luke Breust may, or may not, be familiar with the work of iconic Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. They certainly share the same sentiment, with the three-time Hawthorn premiership forward determined to "rage, rage against the dying of the light". The 34-year-old, a two-time All-Australian and one of the best small forwards of his generation, announced on Thursday this season will be his last. Former teammate and current Hawks coach Sam Mitchell has no doubt Breust will stay in the game, probably as a coach, but there is unfinished business with the Hawks seventh on the ladder and yet to confirm a finals berth. "He spoke really nicely and gently (to teammates) ... until we started talking about the rest of the season. He had just that little bit of rage behind his eyes," Mitchell said. "He's still burning to make sure he can achieve as much and help us achieve as much as we can." Known as "Punky", Breust is the game's ultimate cult figure and Mitchell added he was the rarest of beasts - an AFL player with no enemies. Hawks fans sound as though they are booing when they roar his name after he kicks a goal. "He's as good a person as I've ever met, and anyone has ever met in footy. I don't think you'll ever meet anyone who says 'I don't know about that Luke Breust' - he's universally loved," Mitchell said. The small forward returned to the senior team for last week's win over Collingwood for a career total of 306 games. He and fellow forward, and good friend, Jack Gunston are the only veterans on their list to play in Hawthorn premierships. Breust and Gunston played in the 2012-15 grand finals, winning three flags. He is among nine Hawks to reach 300 games and his 307th this Saturday in the game against Melbourne at the MCG will put him equal with Mitchell at third on the club list. Breust has kicked 552 goals, seventh-highest at Hawthorn, and he made the 2014 and '18 All-Australian teams. But his impact at Hawthorn goes well beyond his significant on-field exploits. "If you could make your culture around the type of club you want to be and the type of person you want to be, Luke Breust is perfect,' Mitchell said. Hailing from the small NSW country town of Temora, Breust proved a bargain-basement selection when the Hawks recruited him with the No.47 pick in the 2008 rookie draft. He did not make his debut until 2011. Mitchell said for all the support Breust received when he was starting, he has paid that forward 10-fold. "I said to the players 'who has he helped?' Every player put his hand up, no hesitation, straight away," he added. Such is Breust's standing at Hawthorn that despite only playing six senior games so far this season, he remains a co-vice captain. "He's not this big, look-at-me personality, so he probably hasn't been celebrated as much outside of us," Mitchell said.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
'He'll make a great coach': Dees boss on milestone man
Melbourne firebrand Steven May is being hailed as a coach-in-waiting ahead of his long-awaited 250th AFL game. May will return from a controversial three-game ban for his milestone match against Hawthorn on Saturday afternoon. The 33-year-old, who is contracted until the end of next season, is already showing signs of a potential coaching career, Melbourne's interim boss Troy Chaplin says. "It's exciting for Maysie, his 250 games," Chaplin said on Thursday. "Started out at the Gold Coast Suns and them came across here and is a premiership player as well. "I have really enjoyed coaching Maysie, been really close with him obviously with coaching the defenders and team defence for a long period of time." Chaplin said while dual All Australian May's competitive streak was renowned, he was also tactically astute. "He is a competitive guy, he loves to win," he said. "But what I have really seen in the last few years is his care for his teammates. "He could make a great coach some day, if that's something that he wanted to do post-footy. "The time that he spends with the young guys ... and coaching them through defensive positioning, different plays, sitting down watching their tape and really taking a keen interest in their development, has been fantastic the last few years." May, in his seventh season with Melbourne after eight on the Gold Coast, returns against the Hawks after being suspended for a collision with Carlton's Francis Evans. The MCG fixture will be Chaplin's second in charge after Simon Goodwin's sacking as head coach. The Western Bulldogs edged the Demons by six points last week, though Chaplin was proud of his players. "It was exciting - it still had its challenges," he said. "Obviously you're in charge of the program now and a lot more meetings and a lot more touchpoints with different people, but I really enjoyed it. "It was a great effort by the boys, we were right in it until the end of the game and to see them fight it out, it showed a lot of maturity." Melbourne firebrand Steven May is being hailed as a coach-in-waiting ahead of his long-awaited 250th AFL game. May will return from a controversial three-game ban for his milestone match against Hawthorn on Saturday afternoon. The 33-year-old, who is contracted until the end of next season, is already showing signs of a potential coaching career, Melbourne's interim boss Troy Chaplin says. "It's exciting for Maysie, his 250 games," Chaplin said on Thursday. "Started out at the Gold Coast Suns and them came across here and is a premiership player as well. "I have really enjoyed coaching Maysie, been really close with him obviously with coaching the defenders and team defence for a long period of time." Chaplin said while dual All Australian May's competitive streak was renowned, he was also tactically astute. "He is a competitive guy, he loves to win," he said. "But what I have really seen in the last few years is his care for his teammates. "He could make a great coach some day, if that's something that he wanted to do post-footy. "The time that he spends with the young guys ... and coaching them through defensive positioning, different plays, sitting down watching their tape and really taking a keen interest in their development, has been fantastic the last few years." May, in his seventh season with Melbourne after eight on the Gold Coast, returns against the Hawks after being suspended for a collision with Carlton's Francis Evans. The MCG fixture will be Chaplin's second in charge after Simon Goodwin's sacking as head coach. The Western Bulldogs edged the Demons by six points last week, though Chaplin was proud of his players. "It was exciting - it still had its challenges," he said. "Obviously you're in charge of the program now and a lot more meetings and a lot more touchpoints with different people, but I really enjoyed it. "It was a great effort by the boys, we were right in it until the end of the game and to see them fight it out, it showed a lot of maturity." Melbourne firebrand Steven May is being hailed as a coach-in-waiting ahead of his long-awaited 250th AFL game. May will return from a controversial three-game ban for his milestone match against Hawthorn on Saturday afternoon. The 33-year-old, who is contracted until the end of next season, is already showing signs of a potential coaching career, Melbourne's interim boss Troy Chaplin says. "It's exciting for Maysie, his 250 games," Chaplin said on Thursday. "Started out at the Gold Coast Suns and them came across here and is a premiership player as well. "I have really enjoyed coaching Maysie, been really close with him obviously with coaching the defenders and team defence for a long period of time." Chaplin said while dual All Australian May's competitive streak was renowned, he was also tactically astute. "He is a competitive guy, he loves to win," he said. "But what I have really seen in the last few years is his care for his teammates. "He could make a great coach some day, if that's something that he wanted to do post-footy. "The time that he spends with the young guys ... and coaching them through defensive positioning, different plays, sitting down watching their tape and really taking a keen interest in their development, has been fantastic the last few years." May, in his seventh season with Melbourne after eight on the Gold Coast, returns against the Hawks after being suspended for a collision with Carlton's Francis Evans. The MCG fixture will be Chaplin's second in charge after Simon Goodwin's sacking as head coach. The Western Bulldogs edged the Demons by six points last week, though Chaplin was proud of his players. "It was exciting - it still had its challenges," he said. "Obviously you're in charge of the program now and a lot more meetings and a lot more touchpoints with different people, but I really enjoyed it. "It was a great effort by the boys, we were right in it until the end of the game and to see them fight it out, it showed a lot of maturity."
The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
Winmar continues bid to co-lead racism class action
AFL great Nicky Winmar is continuing his push to be a co-lead plaintiff in a racism class action against the AFL, saying he wants football to be a safe place for Indigenous players. The Supreme Court of Victoria heard on Thursday that Winmar, the former St Kilda and Western Bulldogs star, wants to take on a more prominent role, joining former North Melbourne star Phil Krakouer in the landmark case against the AFL. Winmar, 59, is already a group member in the case, where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander VFL and AFL players are seeking redress for racist abuse suffered in the course of their football careers. They allege injury, loss and damage, claiming the AFL failed to provide a culturally safe environment, leaving them susceptible to racial abuse from spectators and opposition players. 'I am proud to stand alongside Phil in support of Aboriginal players who have suffered racism in the course of playing in the AFL,' Winmar said in a statement released by Margalit Lawyers after the hearing. 'I want to ensure that the AFL is a safe place for future generations of Aboriginal players.' Krakouer said it was important the case went ahead. 'Delayed justice is injustice, but this case means we are finally being heard,' Krakouer said in a statement. The class action includes six other players, including Phil's brother James Krakouer. The players were at AFL and VFL clubs between 1975 and 2022.
