Latest news with #GregSwann
News.com.au
3 days ago
- 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.
ABC News
4 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
AFL boss Andrew Dillon explains why league is yet to finalise new-look illicit drugs code
The AFL is at least weeks away from finalising its new-look illicit drugs code, with chief executive Andrew Dillon determined to negotiate a policy that is "fit for purpose". The AFL and players' association have been in talks for months about how the code should be developed, with some critics calling for zero tolerance. But the players' association, who approved the creation of the code in 2005, are determined that it stay primarily a welfare and health policy. "We want to make sure we have the policy that is fit for purpose for '25 and beyond and it's a policy that has buy-in obviously from the AFL, the players' association, our clubs and our playing group," Dillon said on Tuesday. "We will take the time to make sure that it's right." The revised illicit drugs policy — separate to the standard anti-doping policy — will be a key responsibility for Laura Kane. Kane was a big casualty in Dillon's executive shake-up announced last Friday, with her football operations role split in two. Current Brisbane CEO Greg Swann will join the AFL and become the new head of football performance, while Kane will be in charge of football operations. Her portfolio will now include operations for the AFL and AFLW, the strategic growth of the AFLW and managing the league's mental health and healthcare unit. "Laura is a valued member of the executive team — she has an incredible portfolio, a big portfolio in front of her now," Dillon said. "What I've said is we want to make sure we have a structure that allows the AFL to continue the momentum we have, into the future. "She's done amazing work in the three years she's been at the AFL. What we have now with Greg coming in looking after the football performance, Laura continuing to run football operations — football is at the core of what we do. Another major change to Dillon's executive team is the imminent departure of Indigenous and inclusion manager Tayna Hosch. Her role, which includes gender, will be folded into the corporate affairs portfolio. "Tanya, in her nearly nine years at the AFL, did an incredible amount of work in this space," Dillon said. "We have incredible leaders across all tiers of the organisation — Denise Bowden, who's just joined our commission, an Indigenous advisory council that's working really well. "What we will have is more leaders and more voices across the organisation. Our commitment to our inclusion is as strong as it's ever been." Dillon is also days away from appointing his chief operating officer. Club chief executives Tom Harley (Sydney), Ameet Bains (Western Bulldogs) and Simon Garlick (Fremantle) are the key candidates, while there is speculation Melbourne Cricket Club boss Stuart Fox also might be in the running. While Dillon's executive changes follow months of growing concerns about how the AFL is performing, he is bullish about the league. "What the announcements from last week do is ensure we can continue the momentum we have and make sure we're set up for success going into the future," he said. Dillon was speaking at the announcement of free admission for children under 14 later this season. Select games will feature the initiative in rounds 16-19 and all Victorian games will be free for kids in round 21. AAP
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Health
- News.com.au
New AFL footy performance manager Greg Swann will not lead the competition's war on drugs
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon says new general manager of football performance Greg Swann will not lead the competition's fight against illicit drugs. Dillon and the AFL remain in the hunt for a new deputy chief but bolstered its panel by unveiling Swann, the former Brisbane chief executive, as its newest member on Monday. Dillon says the highly criticised illicit drugs policy will not be tackled by Swann and will instead be overseen by the demoted Laura Kane. 'Within the structure now the drugs policy will sit within the healthcare unit which Laura Kane will lead,' Dillon said. 'We've been having productive discussions with the PA (AFL Players' Association) over a number of months, we're working collaboratively with them on a really complex issue. 'We want to make sure we have a policy that is fit for purpose for '25 and beyond and is a policy that has buy in from the AFL, the Players' Association, our clubs and our playing group. 'We will take the time to do the work to make sure that it's right.' Dillon is working with the AFLPA, the players and the club to find a policy which is 'fit for purpose'. He says illicit drugs is a 'societal issue we're all confronting' and not a problem exclusive to the playing cohort. 'I think what we will have is a policy that's fit for purpose for the AFL and the Players' Association and the clubs and the players going forward,' he said. 'Illicit drugs use is a societal issue and is not something we can shy away from but what we want to do is make sure we've got a policy that is right for the AFL. 'Ultimately, it's a societal issue we're all confronting.' Dillon is closing in on a deputy chief, with Tom Harley (Sydney), Ameet Bains (Western Bulldogs) and Simon Garlick (Fremantle) reported as leading contenders. He says the AFL is in communication with the leading candidates now and is hopeful of an imminent appointment. 'We've got some really strong candidates who we're talking to at the moment and we're hopeful of making an announcement,' Dillon said. 'But not until we've got that locked away, I am not going to go into any individuals, but what I will say is we've got a really strong field of candidates we're talking to.'
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Brisbane Lions co-captain Harris Andrews says AFL will be better with the addition of Greg Swann
Brisbane co-captain Harris Andrews will miss the 'energy' of departing Lions chief executive officer Greg Swann but says his move to AFL headquarters will be for the betterment of the competition and supporters. Swann will leave the Lions next month after 11 years at the club after being poached by the AFL to become the organisation's head of football performance, with his duties including taking charge of game analysis, match review, player movement and laws of the game. 'It's exciting for the AFL to get someone that's so accomplished and with such great perspective,' Andrews said. 'He's a fan of the game, so he thinks about things like that. For the AFL to get someone in that position to think about what's going to be best for the fans as well is important.' Having arrived at the Lions in the same year as Swann, Andrews has seen everything that the veteran administrator has done to help turn the club into an AFL powerhouse on and off the field. 'We're obviously sad to lose him … he's been a real rock for us as a club,' Andrews said. 'He's overseen some unbelievable projects. Where we're standing right now probably doesn't happen if he's not there. 'He's just brought so much to us as a club and someone that you know you can have a good laugh with. 'He comes down to the footy department area and always brings a bit of energy, so he'll be heavily missed.' However, Andrews was also excited about what Swann's replacement at the Lions, Sam Graham, would bring to the club's chief executive role. The younger brother of former Geelong star Ben Graham, Sam has been at the Lions for more than 18 months in the job of chief operating officer. Before that, his roles included AFL NSW/ACT chief executive, general manager of Tasmania's taskforce and industry engagement and a job in strategy in the AFL's executive team. 'I'm really excited for Sam and the opportunity that's come up,' Andrews said. 'He's a great guy. He's made a real impact since he has come to the footy club and someone that is a really familiar face. 'It's a very exciting time.' The second-placed Lions will chase their 10th win of the season on Friday night when they travel to Adelaide Oval to meet the Adelaide Crows. The Crows have also started the season strongly, sitting in third place with eight wins from 12 matches. 'It's a great challenge … something that I'm really looking forward to. We're coming up against a really quality opposition team on their home deck,' Andrews said. 'We as a team have done a really great job on the road this year and put some good performances out there. 'We'll get some good feedback about where we're at.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Footy legend Nick Riewoldt slams the AFL for being TOO WOKE to take action over the most powerful woman in the game
Footy legend Nick Riewoldt has taken aim at the AFL for not demoting executive general manager of football Laura Kane sooner, labelling them 'social justice warriors'. The AFL announced last week that Kane's AFL football operations role will be split into two roles, with the 34-year-old no longer overseeing key football areas. Kane has become a lightning rod for criticism this season over issues such as the Willie Rioli saga, the standard of umpiring and AFL miscommunication around what happened when Collingwood player Lachie Schultz was concussed in a game against Fremantle. A separate head of football performance role is now being created . Kane will continue to oversee the AFL and AFLW, plus the VFL and VFLW and a newly formed medical and healthcare team that will oversee areas including mental health and concussion. It was confirmed on Monday that Lions chief executive officer Greg Swann will take on the role as the head of football performance. Riewoldt said Swann's arrival is long overdue. 'If the AFL weren't so consumed with being social justice warriors, Laura Kane would have been moved aside 12 months ago,' he said on Channel 7's The Agenda Setters on Monday night. 'It is (a win) now. Either the role was too big, or she was the wrong person (for the job).' AFL chief Andrew Dillon insists there's nothing personal in the demotion of Kane. 'It was a big, big role,' Dillon told SEN radio on Friday. 'Decisions affect people but they're not personal. 'It's actually about what's the right thing for the AFL, not just for now, because the AFL's in an incredible position at the moment. ' ... We have now got a structure that actually allows us to continue to be successful for the next three to five years and that was the thinking.' In a separate interview on ABC Radio, Dillon rejected the notion that unconscious gender bias was a factor in Kane's dealings with clubs and subsequent demotion. 'It's not a gender thing,' he said. 'Laura has broken down a lot of barriers. She is an incredibly talented administrator.' Swann, who has been involved in club administration for more than 25 years, will oversee hot issues including the match review system, umpiring and laws of the game. 'I'm leaving to go the AFL to head up footy, I suppose, in the simplest terms,' Swann said when he confirmed his appointment to Lions colleagues. Lions coach Chris Fagan said Swann would be a major boost for the AFL. 'I'm really pleased for Swanny, it will be great for the game,' he said. 'He's one of those composed, calm and experienced people. We're obviously sad to lose him ... but things don't last forever. 'ln this instance, it will be a great win for the AFL. 'He'll help bring another angle to decision making that perhaps hasn't been there in recent times.'
