Gillon McLachlan to host nine AFL coaches to discuss game’s big issues over dinner

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan says Tuesday’s annual dinner with the coaches is an “informal but important discussion’’. SEE WHO’S COMING TO DINNER

Gillon McLachlan will host several AFL coaches.

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan says Tuesday’s annual dinner with the coaches is an “informal but important discussion’’.

McLachlan will host nine of the AFL’s 18 senior coaches at his Prahran home with agenda items to include a proposed mid-season draft, the impact of the new rules, fan engagement and the bye breaks.

“Eighteen of the most important 30 people in the game are the coaches,’’ McLachlan told the Herald Sun last night.

“The relationship with them and to get their views about the game is very important because their influence is incredibly important.

“It’s informal, but I don’t think I’m holding back too much because it will be obvious stuff, letting the conversation go where they want it to go.

“It’s as much about what they want to talk about as we want to talk about.

Alan Richardson will be in attendance on Tuesday night.

“We have previously acted on a lot of things they have talked about.”

McLachlan and AFL football operations manager Mark Evans will meet with Alistair Clarkson, Damien Hardwick, Nathan Buckley, Paul Roos, Luke Beveridge, Chris Scott, Brad Scott, Alan Richardson and John Worsfold.

Carlton coach Brendon Bolton and the eight interstate coaches - Ross Lyon, Adam Simpson, Don Pyke, Ken Hinkley, Justin Leppitsch, Rodney Eade, John Longmire and Leon Cameron - are not attending.

Bolton has a prior club engagement, while McLachlan stressed to the AFL Coaches Association that he did not expect the interstate coaches to travel to Melbourne.

AFLCA chief executive Mark Brayshaw said yesterday: “It’s relaxed and informal and Gil talks about the state of the game and highlights what the fans want to see.

“He gives the coaches a thorough, high-level snapshot into what the fans want, on and off the field, and how the AFL is trying to deliver it.

“It’s always a very interesting and profound synopsis of the game, which gives rise to a deep, high-level discussion.”

Brayshaw said the game’s longest-serving coach, Mick Malthouse, was a major supporter of the dinner, first held in 2014.

“Mick said it was one of the best nights he’s ever been involved in because he observed how the coaches put aside all their rivalries and were fascinated to listen and then contribute to the discussion about how to grow the game,” Brayshaw said.

“The coaches are very grateful that the CEO invites them - and only them - to his house.

“I wouldn’t underestimate that. They are extremely grateful that the boss and his wife would be as generous as they are.

“It’s something that they don’t take for granted.”

The evening at McLachlan’s Prahran property begins with drinks before a formal presentation and dinner.

WHERE: McLachlan mansion, Prahran

WHEN: 7.30pm

MENU: Beef Burgundy, Sticky Date pudding, Penfold’s shiraz, Treasury Wine Estates Chardonnay

POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS: Ducking, Deliberate out of bounds, Attracting new multicultural players and supporters, Thursday night football, 10m protected area rule, Byes and split rounds, Free flowing football, Fan engagement research, Crowds and TV ratings

ATTENDEES: Gillon McLachlan, Mark Evans, Mark Brayshaw, Alistair Clarkson, Damien Hardwick, Nathan Buckley, Paul Roos, Luke Beveridge, Chris Scott, Brad Scott, Alan Richardson, John Worsfold

APOLOGIES: Brendon Bolton, Ross Lyon, Adam Simpson, Don Pyke, Ken Hinkley, Justin Leppitsch, Rodney Eade, John Longmire, Leon Cameron