Clubs’ power move

BROWNE LEADS PUSH

FOOTY’S 18 clubs are poised to reassert their authority over the powerful AFL commission with Collingwood president Jeff Browne seen as the leader of the uprising.

The imminent departure of AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan and concerns by a growing number of club bosses over the performance of the league commission has set the scene for clubs to have a far greater say on “the overall direction and important decisions” of the industry.

Browne, ranked No.1 in the 2023 News Corp AFL Power List, said the time for clubs to strike back was now.

“Over the years the quality of directors at club level has improved to the point that there are now outstanding people on the boards of every AFL club,” Browne, 66, said.

“It’s time now to revisit the power-sharing arrangement that was struck in 1985 between the AFL commission and the clubs, because the clubs are certainly in a position to make a very positive contribution to the direction and oversight of the game.

“So there will be a change – and there should be a change, and it’ll be good for the game.

“We have to push on and do it. The clubs now should be having a greater say in the overall direction and important decisions in relation to the industry.

“It doesn’t just belong to the commission anymore. The clubs should be consulted and they should be consulted in a meaningful way.”

Club bosses have been meeting privately for several years but the imminent departure of McLachlan is seen as a pivotal moment.

McLachlan will depart in April almost 12 months after tendering his resignation. Clubs would prefer one of their own is installed to take charge of the game, with Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale the leading contender.

But they also believe the league would prefer to appoint McLachlan’s understudy and AFL House insider Andrew Dillon.

Support among some clubs for AFL chairman Richard Goyder has waned.

One club boss said factions had developed within the commission.

Clubs remain bewildered that the league has still not filled two vacant places on the commission or identified McLachlan’s replacement.

“Just make a decision,” one club boss said.

Another club boss said he did not believe the AFL understood “what it’s like to operate in clubland”.

Some clubs even want a seat at the negotiating table for pay talks with the players’ union, believing they deserve better input into how the AFL spends their money.

Wealthy clubs believe the game would be better served by teaching weaker clubs to set up better management structures, making them less dependent on AFL handouts.