AT THE head of the AFL structure is the AFL Commission comprising nine commissioners. They are Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick, AFL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Demetriou, Bob Hammond, Graeme John, Bill Kelty, Chris Langford, Sam Mostyn, Linda Dessau and Christopher Lynch.
Demetriou has led the AFL since September 2003. The chief executive officer is appointed by the AFL Commission and is responsible for the operating performance of the AFL and the implementation of policy decided by the commission. He is also the public face of the commission.
Organisational structure
The AFL is divided into seven key areas of executive responsibility: commercial operations, marketing and strategy, game development, football operations, Broadcasting, Strategy & Major Projects, Legal & Business Affairs and finance and administration.
AFL Chief Executive Officer - Andrew Demetriou
DOB:14/4/1961
Played 103 games for North Melbourne and three for Hawthorn after being recruited in 1981 from Pascoe Vale Football Club. Became managing director of the Ruthinium Group, one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of acrylic teeth. In 1998, was appointed chief executive officer of the AFL Players' Association and remains a board member of the Ruthinium Group. Was General Manager AFL Football Operations from May 2000-September 2003. Appointed Chief Executive Officer, September 2003.
Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer - Tony Peek
DOB: 19/10/1949
Was a sports writer with the Sun newspaper from 1974 to 1979. Worked for a sports marketing company in tennis event sponsorship from 1979 to 1981. Joined Tennis Australia as media manager in 1981 and worked on major events including Davis Cup finals in 1983 and 1986 and the Australian Open. Assisted with media requirements for Melbourne Park and worked on the first two Australian Opens at Melbourne Park. Was marketing manager in his last two years with Tennis Australia. Joined the AFL in 1989 as media manager and later became General Manager Communications. In 1998, was given additional responsibility for strategic planning. Was appointed Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer in November 2003.
Chief Operating Officer - Gillon McLachlan
DOB: 8/8/73
Has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Adelaide and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Melbourne. Worked in a strategic role at Andersen Consulting (now Accenture), that involved a variety of industries in different countries. This included a six-month contract in the Philippines. Joined the AFL in May 2000 as a strategic planner and was appointed General Manager Commercial Operations in November 2003 before taking on the additional areas of broadcasting & major projects in 2006.
Media Contacts
Media Relations Manager: Patrick Keane (03) 9643 1925
Publicity & Promotions Manager: Michelle Clyne (03) 9643 1926
Publicity & Promotions Manager - SE Queensland: Michelle Morgan (07) 3394 2433
Marketing, Strategy & Club Support
General Manager: Andrew Catterall
DOB: 12/1/74
Has a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons.) from the University of Melbourne. Joined the Boston Consulting Group where he worked across a range of industries and clients, including a secondment to the AFL and major projects with the UEFA. Helped start up Crowe Lovett Consulting. Led major assignments for the AFL, AFL clubs and state bodies, before joining the AFL as Manager - Strategic Planning in 2004. Was promoted to General Manager of Strategy and Club Support in December 2006. Was promoted to General Manager of Marketing, Strategy and Club Support in July 2010.
Strategic Planning Manager: Sam Graham
Customer Strategy and Club Support Manager: Shaun Welch
AFL Stadia Manager, Development and Commercialisation: Simon Gorr
Fan Development Manager: Alistair Dobson
Football Operations
General Manager: Adrian Anderson
DOB: 1/7/72
Has a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Melbourne and was admitted to practice as a barrister and solicitor in 1997. Became lead partner of Media Special Interest Group at Corrs Chambers Westgarth in 2003 and was the principal Media Law advisor to the Herald-Sun, 3AW and Leader Newspapers. Was sports legal advisor for the AFLPA, Australian Cricketers' Association and Career Sport. Has acted for AFL players, coaches and clubs on various issues, including the tribunal, CBA, contractual, draft, trade practices, restraint of trade and natural justice. Has played school and college football and coached at Trinity College. In 2003, was the captain-coach of the Old Melbournians Club XVIII. In November 2003, was appointed General Manager - AFL Football Operations. (Assumed the role in February 2004).
Football Administration Manager: Rod Austin
Umpires’ Manager: Jeff Gieschen
Ground Operations Manager: Sandra Thomas
Integrity Services Manager: Brett Clothier
Football Operations Logistics Manager: Pat Cunningham
Manager, TPP Assurance & Advice (Investigations Manager): Ken Wood
Research & Football Projects Manager: Shane McCurry
Cultural Strategy & Education Manager: Sue Clark
Commercial Operations
General Manager: Darren Birch
Has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Sports Administration) and has been in the AFL industry since 1998 when he was appointed Membership Manager with the Brisbane Lions. Joined the AFL in 2005 as AFL Membership Manager and was subsequently appointed to the position of Manager - Consumer Business where he was responsible for the management of membership, ticketing, club membership shared services and consumer products. Was appointed Acting General Manager, Commercial Operations in August 2010, before being appointed General Manager, Commercial Operations in December 2010.
Corporate Business Manager: Richard Simkiss
AFL Sponsorship Manager: George de Crespigny
Membership & Shared Services Manager: Lisa Laing
National & International Development
National Talent Manager: Kevin Sheehan
National Coaching & Volunteers Manager: Lawrie Woodman
AIS/AFL High Performance Coach: Michael O'Loughlin
International Manager: Tony Woods
Talent Operations Manager: Roger Berryman
AFL Foundation CEO: Jason Mifsud
Multicultural Programs Manager: Ali Fahour
Community Facilities Development Manager: Ken Gannon
AFL Victoria General Manager: Grant Williams
Legal and Business Affairs
General Manager: Andrew Dillon
DOB: 23/7/70
Has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Melbourne and a post-graduate diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia. Undertook Articled Clerkship at Corrs Chambers Westgarth in 1994 and was subsequently employed as a solicitor in Corrs' Commercial Division. From October 1997 to August 2000, worked as in-house legal counsel at Village Roadshow Limited. Joined the AFL in August 2000 as Legal Counsel and was appointed General Manager - Legal and Business Affairs in July
Manager, Broadcasting, Scheduling & Legal Affairs Manager: Simon Lethlean
AFL Media
Head of AFL Media: Sam Walch
Internet & Statistics Manager: Ian Weeding
Executive Producer - video: Greg Miles
AFL Historian & Statistician: Cameron Sinclair
Corporate Affairs & Communications
General Manager: Brian Walsh
Media Relations Manager: Patrick Keane
Public Affairs Manager: Nick Johnston
Publicity & Promotions Manager: Michelle Clyne
Publicity & Promotions Manager - SE Queensland: Michelle Morgan
Government Relations Manager: Phil Martin
Corporate & Community Communications Manager: Amanda Brookhouse
Human Resources
General Manager: Christina Ogg
Finance & Administration
Chief Finance Officer: Ian Anderson
DOB: 14/6/1961
Has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and is a qualified chartered accountant. Started his working career at Arthur Anderson. Spent seven years with Smorgon Consolidated Industries in a variety of roles, including general manager of their wire products business. In 1997, he became chief financial officer of PGA Logistics, which merged with Mayne Nickless in 1999. After the merger, he became Group General Manager - Planning and Development for Mayne Nickless Logistics before joining the AFL in 2000.
Financial Shared Services Manager: Bill Tsiakos
IT Manager: Andrew Young
Business Analysis & Projects Manager: Jamie Williams
National Insurance & Risk Manager: Clay MacKinnon
AFL SportsReady Ltd
Chief Executive Officer: Phillip Campbell
AFL Football Operations Sub-Committee
Adrian Anderson (chairperson), Tony Abate, Rod Austin, Sue Clark, Brett Clothier,Patrick Cunningham, Jeff Gieschen, Patrick Keane, Shane McCurry, Tessie McManus, Katrina Leith, Thea Salter, Sandra Thomas, Kevin Sheehan, Emma Taylor, Scott Taylor, Ken Wood, Ted Woodruff
AFL Tribunal
David Jones (chairman), Will Houghton QC, Andrew Tinney, Emmett Dunne, Michael Sexton, Wayne Schimmelbusch, Richard Loveridge, David Pittman
AFL Laws of the Game Committee
Adrian Anderson (chairman), Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Andrew McKay, Leigh Matthews, Luke Power, Matthew Pavlich, Rowan Sawers and Michael Sexton
Appeals Board
Peter O'Callaghan (chairman), Brian Collis QC, Brian Bourke, John Schultz, Michael Gree
Match Review Panel
Mark Fraser (chairman), Peter Carey, Paul Broderick
AFL Grievance Tribunal
Jack Rush QC (chairman), Kevin Power, Michael Moncrieff, Darren Baxter, James Dowsley, Roger Berryman
AFL Legal Counsel
Geoff Gleeson SC, Andrew Tinney SC
All-Australian and AFL Rising Star Selectors
Andrew Demetriou (chairman), Adrian Anderson, Gerard Healy, Kevin Bartlett, James Hird, Glenn Jakovich, Robert Walls, Mark Riccuito, Kevin Sheehan (Rising Star only), Scott Taylor (secretary)
Australian Football Hall of Fame Selectors
Mike Fitzpatrick (chairman), Jim Main, Tim Lane, David Parkin, Tom Reynolds, Leigh Whicker, Shane McCurry (secretary)
Legal Advisor
Browne & Co.
Medical Commissioners
Dr Peter Harcourt, Dr Harry Unglik
PRESIDENTS
1897-1915: Alex McCraken, JP
1915-1917: O. Morrice Williams
1918-1919: Charles Brownlow
1919-1925: Sir Baldwin Spencer
1926-1955: Dr W.M.C. McClelland, CBE, JP
1956-1971: Sir Kenneth Luke, CM, JP
1971-1976: Sir Maurice Nathan, KBE
1977-1984: Dr Allen Aylett, OBE
SECRETARIES/GENERAL MANAGERS
1897-1929: Edwin Wilson
1929-1956: Like McBrien, OBE
1956-1976: Eric McCutchan, OBE
1977-1984: Jack Hamilton, AM
1985-1986: Alan Schwab
COMMISSIONER
1984-1986: Jack Hamilton, AM
CHAIRMEN — COMMISSION
1986-1993: Ross Oakley
1993-1997: John Kennedy
1998-2007: Ron Evans
2007- : Mike Fitzpatrick
EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER
1986-1993: Alan Schwab
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
1994-1996: Ross Oakley
1996-2003: Wayne Jackson
2003- : Andrew Demetriou
COMMISSIONERS
1985: The Hon. Peter Nixon, Graeme Samuel, Peter Scanlon, Dick Seddon
1986: The Hon. P. Nixon, G. Samuel, P. Scanlon, R. Seddon, Ross Oakley
1987: The Hon. P. Nixon, G. Samuel, P. Scanlon, R. Seddon, R. Oakley
1988: The Hon. P. Nixon, G. Samuel, P. Scanlon, R. Oakley, Albert Mantello
1989: The Hon. P. Nixon, G. Samuel, P. Scanlon, R. Oakley, A. Mantello
1990: The Hon. P. Nixon, G. Samuel, P. Scanlon, R. Oakley, A. Mantello
1991: G. Samuel, P. Scanlon, R. Oakley, A. Mantello, Michael Carlile
1992: G. Samuel, P. Scanlon, R. Oakley, A. Mantello, M. Carlile
1993: John Kennedy, G. Samuel, R. Oakley, Colin Carter, Ron Evans, Terry O’Connor, John Winneke QC
1994: J. Kennedy, G. Samuel, R. Oakley, C. Carter, R. Evans, T. O’Connor, J. Winneke QC
1995: J. Kennedy, G. Samuel, R. Oakley, C. Carter, R. Evans, T. O’Connor, Wayne Jackson
1996: J. Kennedy, G. Samuel, R. Oakley, C. Carter, R. Evans, T. O’Connor, W. Jackson
1997: J. Kennedy, G. Samuel, C. Carter, R. Evans, T. O’Connor, W. Jackson, Craig Kimberley, David Shaw
1998: R. Evans, G. Samuel, C. Carter, T. O’Connor, W. Jackson, C. Kimberley, D. Shaw, Bill Kelty
1999: R. Evans, G. Samuel, C. Carter, C. Kimberley, T. O’Connor, W. Jackson, W. Kelty, Chris Langford
2000: R. Evans, G. Samuel, C. Carter, C. Kimberley, T. O’Connor, W. Jackson, W. Kelty, C. Langford
2001: R. Evans, G. Samuel, C. Carter, W. Jackson, W. Kelty, C. Langford, Graeme John, Bob Hammond
2002: R. Evans, G. Samuel, C. Carter, W. Jackson, W. Kelty, C. Langford, G. John, R. Hammond
2003: R. Evans, W.Jackson, M. Fitzpatrick, C. Carter, W. Kelty, C. Langford, G. John, R. Hammond
2004: R. Evans, A. Demetriou, M. Fitzpatrick, C. Carter, W. Kelty, C. Langford, G. John, R. Hammond
2005: R. Evans, A. Demetriou, M. Fitzpatrick, C. Carter, W. Kelty, C. Langford, G. John, R. Hammond, S.Mostyn
2006: R. Evans, A. Demetriou, M. Fitzpatrick, C. Carter, W. Kelty, C. Langford, G. John, R. Hammond, S.Mostyn
2007: R. Evans, A Demetriou, M Fitzpatrick, C. Carter, W. Kelly, C. Langford, G. John, R. Hammond, S. Mostyn
2008: M. Fitzpatrick, A Demetriou, B. Hammond, G. John, W. Kelty, C. Langford, S.Mostyn, Justice Linda Desseau, C. Lynch
2009: M. Fitzpatrick, A Demetriou, B. Hammond, G. John, W. Kelty, C. Langford, S.Mostyn, Justice Linda Desseau, C. Lynch
