By Hannah Kennelly
Greg Swann has foreshadowed the need for greater transparency around the AFL’s match review system as among his immediate priorities as he prepares to join the league on Monday as the new football performance boss.
Veteran administrator Swann said other contentious issues he will move on include game length, the centre bounce and club academies.
Greg Swann was CEO of three AFL clubs: Collingwood, Carlton and Brisbane Lions.Credit: Getty Images
Swann departed the Brisbane Lions after Friday night’s thrilling 10-point win over the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba. He was the Lions’ chief executive for 11 years and last year witnessed the club’s first premiership in 21 years.
Interviewed after the victory by Seven, he said the game was in “fantastic health” but he wants to make a “few tweaks”.
He put the AFL’s match review process firmly in the spotlight. Match review officer Michael Christian assesses all incidents from a round of football and players are offered a penalty including a suspension or fines for indiscretions. Some incidents are sent directly by Christian to the AFL tribunal for adjudication.
Swann said Christian should be more public in his reasoning for his decisions.
“One of the things I think we also should do is actually explain why we get to a decision that we get to — I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t do that,” Swann told Seven.
“Michael Christian might have a bit more of a role in the media to explain how he’s got to certain decisions. That’s something that I think we should do and just be more transparent and put it out there.”
Headhunted by AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon for the new role in the revamped AFL structure, Swann wanted to see play around stoppages sped up, but confirmed the actual 20-minute length of quarters will not be reduced.
“We wait too long for people to set up,” he said.
“Even from a ruckman point of view, if there are enough people around the stoppage, just ball it up and get on with it. I think that’s a thing we need to look at.
“And that might be able to be changed relatively quickly, so we’ll see.
“I saw a video of a ruckman coming off the bench to the far forward pocket, and it took 22 seconds for him to get there with his hand up saying ‘I’m the nominated ruckman’, it’s like, ‘Just throw it up’.”
Swann said most football clubs wanted to keep the father-son rule, but acknowledged the debate surrounding football academies.
“As far as the academies go, there’s a new system in place this year from a points perspective, so it’s going to be harder for the clubs to get their players, so I think that needs to play out for the next year or two and see what that does.
“Having lived through it, the academies are really important to get guys and girls to play up here. We’re in a big battle with the NRL and rugby union. But it is fair to say that the price that clubs have paid in the last few years hasn’t been high enough, but this new system will make it so.”
Swann confirmed he would seek feedback from clubs about the sub rule and confirmed he was not a fan of umpires bouncing the ball at centre square restarts.
He wanted to see the rule changes implemented as soon as possible, preferably in November.
“Whatever we decide to do for next year, let’s get it in early,” he said.
“I think November there is a commission meeting, if you’re going to change some rules, get it in and let the clubs work with it over the summer. Historically, those changes have happened in February and March and there is not enough time to adjust.”
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