Josh Mahoney appointed AFL’s general manager of football performance

Josh Mahoney will have a key role in football’s future after being part of a shuffle at AFL House. See who all the key names are at league headquarters for the 2025 season here.

Josh Mahoney will take on an expanded role at AFL House.

There’s changes coming to AFL headquarters, with Josh Mahoney unveiled as the competition’s new general manager of football performance.

Mahoney was previously the AFL’s general manager of football operations and has taken up the role which was held by Brad Scott prior to Scott’s return to coaching.

Mahoney, who joined the AFL in 2023 after his time as football boss at Essendon and Melbourne, will now oversee talent, umpiring, player movement, game analysis and coach and player engagement.

The structure of order at the AFL under executive general manager of football Laura Kane will not change but Mahoney’s focuses on improving the game will.

Mahoney’s previous position remains vacant.

Mahoney’s role includes overseeing umpires.

Nicky Couston, previously the national wellbeing manager, is also set for a role change, moving into the position as the AFL’s head of talent.

Couston has been involved in football for almost two decades, having spent 10 years at Hawthorn prior to her nine years at the AFL.

Kane said the AFL “spent time meeting with and listening to our clubs” before it appointed both Mahoney and Couston.

“We want to ensure we are creating a structure that best supports their needs and we are pleased to appoint Josh and Nicky into these important roles, who both have extensive club experience,” Kane said.

“Josh is an experienced football person and over the past year we have seen the positive contribution he has been able to have towards the on-field product, particularly through his work on the Competitive Balance Review.

“He will continue to work on delivering thrilling football across AFL and AFLW but now through a lens of football performance and ensuring our talent pathways, rules, player movement mechanisms and officiating supports this, along with continuing to liaise closely with our clubs and coaches.

“We are thrilled to appoint Nicky to lead the talent pathway, she was a standout candidate in a strong pool that saw international applicants.

“The talent team has more than 300 staff nationally and Nicky has the skills and experience required to ensure our programs and structures are set up for success and create an environment for our young athletes to thrive and flourish.”

Originally published as Josh Mahoney appointed AFL’s general manager of football performance