Greg Madigan and Tim Cotter appointed to senior AFL Victoria positions

AFL Victoria has appointed a new boss, while Gippsland also has also confirmed their new regional manager.

Hawthorn premiership player Greg Madigan is the new boss of AFL Victoria.

The member of the Hawks’ 1989 flag team takes over from Ben Kavenagh, who stepped down in September to return to Adelaide for family reasons.

Mr Madigan has been appointed to the role from outside the AFL administration ranks from a leadership position with property management digital platform provider, Sorted Services.

Greg Madigan playing for Hawthorn against Adelaide in 1993. Picture: Ray Titus

“We know there are areas of the game doing it tough and the AFL is committed to directing support for community football to where it’s needed most,” AFL executive general manager game development Rob Auld said.

“Greg brings experience in managing stakeholders and growing businesses that puts him in a great position to work with the community football network and deliver on our strategic objective to have footy in every home.”

Greg Madigan. Picture: Diana Carrafa

Mr Madigan starts in the role on November 13.

“This is an extremely exciting opportunity to have a positive impact on grassroots football, which is the foundation of the game and a huge part of Victorian communities,” he said.

Meanwhile, AFL Victoria has promoted Tim Cotter to the role of Gippsland regional manager.

Mr Cotter has been working as the club development lead in Gippsland and replaces Cameron McPhan in the top job.

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The appointment of Mr Cotter was communicated to clubs and leagues this week and he officially starts on November 8.

He is from East Gippsland and played the first three games of the 2023 season for Buchan after playing for Orbost-Snowy Rovers in 2021-22.

His roles to date at AFL Gippsland have included the transition of Southern Gippsland Junior Football League to an independent body with self-appointed administration, establishing player points specific by-laws for Gippsland, and starting the expressions of interest process for the formation of the AFL Gippsland Region Council.

Bendigo league general manager Cameron Tomlins has been appointed the interim Central Victoria regional manager following the resignation of Craig Armstead.

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AFL Victoria’s soon-to-be-announced replacement for outgoing chief Ben Kavenagh will be followed by more newcomers in senior roles across the state.

Early last month Mr Kavenagh announced he would be stepping down from the job he has occupied since 2021 to return to Adelaide for family reasons.

AFL Central Victoria regional manager Craig Armstead and his AFL Gippsland equivalent Cameron McPhan have also resigned in recent weeks.

They have taken up jobs outside of football with Mr Armstead securing a senior role at the Bendigo Sports Stadium and Mr McPhan moving out of sports administration entirely, but hoping to remain involved at club level.

The region manager roles have undergone a recent shift in focus towards growing participation rates.

Former AFL Victoria chief Ben Kavenagh. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio

Mr Kavenagh took on AFL Victoria’s top job previously held by current Essendon coach Brad Scott during the Covid interruptions.

He won praise from AFL executive general manager game development Rob Auld for his two years in the job.

“Under Ben’s leadership at AFL Victoria, community football has bounced back strongly and the foundation is there for football to flourish across the state for years to come,” Mr Auld said.

Central Victoria and Gippsland both encountered major controversies this year with a hastily arranged plan to create a new competition or second division of the Bendigo league aborted.

Kyneton also quit the Bendigo league and joined the Riddell District league.

Former AFL Central Victoria regional manager Craig Armstead. Picture: Jamie Morey

In Gippsland, Swan Reach was busted for a major player points breach that saw it go from top to bottom of the ladder with the loss of premiership points from eight victories.

Meanwhile, the Goulburn Valley league has renewed its administration agreement with the AFL Goulburn-Murray hub for another three years.

The search has commenced for a new GV operations manager following Kyle Povah’s resignation in August after only four months in the role.

The GV and Kyabram District leagues are administered by the AFLGM hub with surrounding leagues, Murray, Picola District and Ovens and Murray, having their own management set-up.