Senior AFL players could be involved in reborn AFL Competition Committee

AFL players, coaches and even club chief executives could again have a major say in the future of the game after the league made an important move.

The AFL has made another big move towards leaning on clubs to guide the league’s future by reinstituting the AFL Competition Committee that could be loaded with senior players.

Three years after leading players, including Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield, were part of the committee, first introduced in 2018 to guide discussion around decision-making on key aspects of the future of the game, it’s back.

It comes after AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon added two club bosses, Brisbane’s Greg Swann and Sydney’s Tom Harley, to the league executive, evidence of a nod to the information and experience coming out of clubland.

Swann, the AFL’s new football performance boss, football operations boss Laura Kane and AFL commissioner and veteran administrator Andrew Ireland will be key members of the new-look committee.

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon and Greg Swann. Picture: Michael Klein

That trio will be joined by a strong representation of names and faces from around the game to “make assessments, canvass views, test theories and provide comments and recommendations regarding the AFL competition”.

Those views would then go to the AFL Commission, the ultimate decision-maker.

“During its time, the AFL Competition Committee previously provided great insight and thinking around all aspects of the game and has helped shape the evolution of the game,” Dillon said.

“There is no one closer to the game than our players, coaches and key club personnel, and I’m keen for our football department to continue building on these relationships across the board.

“Beyond the members of the committee, I want to continue to engage a broader group consisting of past players and media to provide their feedback and insights so we can collect as much information as we can and workshop it. Then, from a head office point of view, we can move quickly and appropriately on the things that are most important and need to be implemented going forward.”

The make-up of the new committee is being confirmed and will be announced shortly.

Originally published as Senior AFL players could be involved in reborn AFL Competition Committee