Club chiefs Jeff Kennett and Peter Gordon deny knowledge of alleged coup at AFL commission
Jeff Kennett and Peter Gordon have smashed talk of disgruntled club presidents moving to dispose of AFL commission chairman Richard Goyder, calling it ‘absurd rumour mongering’.
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War cabinet presidents Jeff Kennett and Peter Gordon say they know nothing of an alleged plot by club bosses to oust AFL commission chairman Richard Goyder.
A Nine newspapers report on Friday claimed a number of disgruntled club presidents had begun secretly canvassing new commission candidates, including an approach to former TV boss and ex-league lawyer Jeff Browne.
The report said a quarter of the 18 club presidents had already indicated they would support Browne’s nomination, citing Goyder’s decision to snub this month’s Grand Final at the Gabba as the latest in a series of warning signs that the commission was losing its cultural grip on the game.
But both Kennett and Gordon rejected any involvement.
“I think it’s absurd. Absolutely absurd and rumour mongering which is meant to be divisive,” Kennett said.
“We have just come through the most remarkable season ever where in fact the AFL has continued to play the game against all odds.
“I know Richard has been in touch with Gill McLachlan time upon time per day, although isolated in the west.
“And not only would I not support it, I find it totally destructive. I certainly haven’t been contacted.”
Gordon said: “I know nothing about any planned coup. Not a word. It’s never been raised with me this year by a single club president and this is the last year of all the years that I have been involved in footy that I would think it to be at all appropriate to be critiquing
governance arrangements in the AFL.”
Asked if Goyder was doing a good job as AFL commission chairman, Kennett said: “Absolutely, but that’s not to say I don’t want to see continuing reform and transparency at the AFL.”
The Hawthorn president said he would not support a push for Browne to join the commission even if it eventuated.
“The trouble with Jeff is, he’s a part of the boys’ club. He always has been. He’s part of the establishment of the AFL. If anything you need to break away from the support mechanisms and bring in some outside influence and experience and independence – instead of another mate occupying the job,” he said.
“As much as I like Jeff, it’s a totally inappropriate suggestion. But no one has even mentioned it and I’m in touch with a lot of the presidents on a regular basis. It’s just madness.”
Perth-based Browne, who is set to shift back to Melbourne, declined to comment.
Gordon said the AFL leadership deserved high praise for delivering the 2020 season through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“What has been achieved by the AFL this year has been outstanding and extraordinary,” the Western Bulldogs president said.
“The AFL commission and management are entitled to take a great deal of pride in what has happened.”
HOW FANS PULLED US THROUGH A FOOTY SEASON LIKE NO OTHER
By Gillon McLachlan
Thank you!
That’s the first thing I want to say to our almost one million AFL club members and the millions of football supporters who follow our game.
Thank you for sticking by your clubs in what has been a season like no other.
When we postponed the season in March before the end of the first round, many questioned whether we would even get a season away, let alone get to play finals.
And here we are, having played the first match of the 2020 Toyota AFL finals series — a series where the final eight wasn’t decided until the final day of the final round.
The heroes who have decided finals in recent seasons are ready to step up again — Dustin Martin, Scott Pendlebury and Patrick Dangerfield have again had brilliant seasons.
New heroes are also looking for their chance to shine — Bailey Smith and Max King — after emerging as key players for their clubs in the run to the finals.
Richmond is looking for three premierships in four years while the Saints are back for the first time in nearly a decade. There’s a great storyline in every one of our eight finalists.
It has been that sort of season. A remarkable season in so many ways with 153 games, reduced quarter lengths, weekly and sometime daily fixture releases, hubs in different states, football frenzy with 33 games in 20 days — and most games played outside Victoria.
Change was one of the few constants. The other constant was the incredible support of our fans and the sense of connection and belonging supporters have for their clubs despite being unable to attend matches.
Our gratitude and our thoughts are with Victorian fans. We understand the privilege to be still able to play our game and we know how tough it has been for everyone in Victoria through the past months.
Our players and clubs have taken comfort knowing the season has provided some much-needed joy for so many people isolated at home.
It was a weird feeling on Saturday, knowing the MCG was empty at a time when 100,000 fans would normally be roaring. In any other year families and friends would be spending the day adding to their own Grand Final day traditions.
This is no ordinary year but it means it will be a special moment when we will be able to all come together at the MCG again.
I know Victorians will be following the finals action closely, particularly this weekend with Richmond, Geelong Cats, Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and Collingwood carry the hopes of the state in week one along with Port Adelaide, Brisbane and West Coast Eagles.
It makes for a cracking finals series culminating in the history-making Grand Final at the Gabba on October 24 — another first in this year of firsts.
I am convinced the premiership will be a special one.
Whoever wins the 2020 AFL premiership will be remembered for decades for the resilience, courage and mental strength needed to cope with the ever-changing COVID environment.
It has tested individuals, teams, clubs and — above all — supporters, who have had to be content with watching it on TV screens, albeit in much higher numbers.
AFL chairman Richard Goyder and I reflected recently on the year we have had and how many calls, texts or emails we have exchanged each day. He was proud of the thousands of meetings and individual and collective actions and decisions taken by so many people in our game to make this season happen.
In a season like no other, the football community has come together. Clubs travelled, trained, lived, played and recovered differently. You know it is not a normal year when it’s normal for players to play in scratch matches for opposing clubs.
We thank our clubs, players, umpires, staff and their families, our broadcast and corporate partners and venues who have all been extraordinary and remained flexible to get us through the 153 games of the season.
Without the support of governments and their chief health officers across the country, we would not have been able to complete the season and do it in a way that prioritised the health and safety of the wider community as well as players and staff.
And to all the health and essential workers who have put the health and safety of others in front of their own — we cannot thank you enough for keeping our communities and our families as safe as possible.
But mostly thank you to football fans. Your loyalty and passion this season have been incredible.
We hope you enjoy the finals season.
And we look forward to the day our game returns to Victoria.
DOWNLOAD YOUR 2020 VICTORIAN AFL FINALS POSTERS
Gillon McLachlan is AFL chief executive