AFL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Demetriou today announced that Adrian Anderson, General Manager Football Operations, has advised him and the AFL Commission of his intention to leave the AFL.
Mr Anderson has decided that after nine years in the role it was time to look for new challenges and opportunities in his professional life.
Mr Demetriou said he has offered Adrian the sincere thanks of the Commission, Executive and staff.
“Since beginning in his current role in February 2004, Adrian has made a substantial contribution to the AFL competition in particular and the game in general across various areas of football operations,” Mr Demetriou said.
Mr Anderson’s achievements include:
- Completing a major review of the AFL Tribunal in 2005 and implementing a number of major reforms including the establishment of the Match Review Panel which has proven to be a more efficient system allowing players to accept sanctions without appearing before the AFL Tribunal, introducing a table of offences and having all match day reports considered by the Match Review Panel.
- In conjunction with the AFL Players’ Association, developing and implementing an Illicit Drugs Policy in 2005 providing out of competition testing of AFL players for illicit substances based on a medical and player welfare model.
- Chairing the Laws of the Game Committee during which time significant reforms were implemented that have kept our game safe to play and great to watch.
- Improving safety for players with major rule changes relating to ruck contests at centre bounces in 2005 to reduce the incidence of PCL knee injuries and in 2007, the introduction of rules designed to protect players from serious head and neck injuries.
- Leading a new approach to concussion by introducing new policies and promoting a leading approach to concussion research and management.
- Establishing the AFL’s first integrity department with responsibility for policies and procedures to monitor trends in various forms of betting on the game, monitoring and investigating the off field behaviour of players and officials, and investigating breaches of the AFL’s total player payment and draft rules.
- Managing the Individual Conduct Policy adopted by the AFL Commission and implemented in 2009.
- Strengthening the Anti-Doping Code which guards against the use of performance enhancing drugs, including match day and out of competition testing and the introduction of blood testing.
- Managing the introduction of player rules for the establishment of the Gold Coast Suns and Greater Western Sydney Giants in the AFL competition.
- 0. Leading negotiations with the AFL Players’ Association for the current Collective Bargaining Agreement covering the period 2012-2016.
- 1. Negotiating a landmark agreement on the introduction of Free Agency for players in 2012.
- 2. Developing an agreement with the AFL Coaches Association to provide education and training for coaches and assistance for coaches when they enter and leave the AFL competition.
- 3. Promoting greater respect for umpires.
- 4. Staging all official AFL matches including the NAB Cup, regional challenge, Toyota AFL Premiership Season and Toyota AFL Finals Series in every state and territory.
- 5. Establishing a cultural and education strategy for the AFL competition which has included education programs for players and club officials on topics such as the responsible use of alcohol, gambling, anti-vilification and the AFL’s respect and responsibility policy which promotes a safe and inclusive environment for women at all levels of the game.
“I would like to congratulate Adrian on his outstanding contribution to the AFL since 2004 and for his willingness to tackle challenging issues such as major reforms of the AFL Tribunal system, changes to the Laws of the Game while trying to balance the views of players, coaches and the football public,” Mr Demetriou said.
“Significantly, he has also established a department dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the integrity of the game.
“In addition, as a member of our executive team, Adrian has also made a positive contribution to our major strategies including competition expansion, the establishment of the Gold Coast Suns and Greater Western Sydney Giants and to our current broadcasting arrangements as a member of the broadcasting sub-committee.
“Given issues such as laws of the game, competition integrity, umpiring and the Match Review Panel, Adrian and his team are often second guessed and subject to a great deal of public scrutiny and he has always handled this in a very professional way. We wish him every success in the next phase of his professional career,” Mr. Demetriou said.
Mr. Anderson said that he was very privileged to have been the General Manager, Football Operations for the last nine years.
“The influence our game has on the Australian community is never lost on me and it has been my great privilege to have served the game in this role for the last nine years,” Mr Anderson said.
“I have worked with some wonderful people at all levels of the game and am very grateful to Andrew and the Commission for the opportunity I have had.
“I am proud in particular to be associated with the changes to the laws of the game which have kept it safe to play and great to watch, the overhaul of the tribunal system, the introduction of the Illicit Drugs Policy, the negotiation of free agency and a new CBA which balance the rights of players and the growth of the game, and the establishment of an integrity unit to underpin public confidence in our sport.
“I also want to thank the extremely hard working, devoted and talented staff in the Football Operations Department, and wish them well for the future, ” Mr. Anderson.
ends
Patrick Keane
AFL Media Manager
