AFL Commission

The AFL Commission is the official governing body of Australian rules football and the Australian Football League (AFL), the sport's elite national competition. Richard Goyder has been chairman since 4 April 2017, replacing Mike Fitzpatrick.

AFL Commission
SportAustralian rules football
JurisdictionGlobal
Founded1985
HeadquartersAFL House, 140 Harbour Esplanade, Melbourne Docklands
ChairmanRichard Goyder
ReplacedAustralian National Football Council

The AFL Commission is responsible for the administration of the competition of the same name, and its constitution also proclaims it as the "keeper of the code", the body universally responsible for the sport of Australian football. It was formed in 1985 as the VFL Commission, and gained its current name in 1990 (in conjunction with the renaming of the competition). The AFL Commission took over the role of the Australian National Football Council in 1993, and in 2005 also replaced the International Australian Football Council. The eight commissioners are elected by the 18 AFL clubs, with each club entitled to make nominations.

National and international game development

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 AFL 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) when it absorbed the ANFC.

This was a significant change of power, as 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.

Organisation structure and members

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, member clubs have the power to veto commission decisions with a two thirds vote.

Current Membership

Current membership of the Commission is:

Name Current Role Appointed
Richard GoyderChairman2011
Gillon McLachlanChief Executive Officer2014
Paul BassatCommissioner2011
Kim WilliamsCommissioner2014
Major General Simone WilkieCommissioner2015
Jason BallCommissioner2015
Andrew NewboldCommissioner2016
Gabrielle TrainorCommissioner2016
Robin BishopCommissioner2017
Professor Helen Milroy Commissioner 2018

Chief Executive Officers

Chairmen

Executive Commissioners
  • Alan Schwab (1986–1993)

Commissioners

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

Club and Competition Intervention

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

Off the field

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

Expansion

The AFL Commission has an ongoing 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

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,[14] 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,[14] 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.[15]

References
  1. "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.
  2. Beveridge, Riley (18 June 2019). "'Remorseful and embarrassed' Hawk banned for pinching, stomping". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  3. http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsId=69870
  4. 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.
  5. "Tigers sack Connors, suspend Martin". The Age. Melbourne.
  6. Ralph, Jon (3 August 2011), "How Melbourne tanked in 2009", Herald Sun, Melbourne, VIC, retrieved 10 November 2011
  7. Carlton midfielder Brock McLean reveals he left Melbourne Demons because the club was tanking, 30 July 2012, retrieved 20 February 2013
  8. "Demons tanked: McLean". The Age. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  9. Hayes, Mark; Timms, Daryl (31 July 2012). "AFL to interview Brock McLean over tanking claims". Herald Sun. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  10. Rucci, Michelangelo (7 August 2012). "Tearful Brett Duncanson gone but his exit will be delayed". Herald Sun. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  11. "Primus gone as Port Adelaide coach". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 6 August 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  12. Ryan, Peter; Walsh, Gary; Conway, Mark; Phelan, Jennifer (17 June 2013). "Neeld sacked". Australian Football League. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  13. "Young Swan suspended for rest of season for COVID breach". AFL.com.au. 15 August 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  14. http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,23845943-10389,00.html
  15. http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25639805-12428,00.html
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