FORMER Geelong star Michael Mansfield has aspirations of becoming a Cats board member and perhaps even an AFL commissioner.
Mansfield, who played 235 AFL games for Geelong and Carlton from 1990-2002, appears a strong candidate for a board role, given his success as both a footballer and a businessman.
An executive director of wealth management company Morgans Financial Group, the 42-year-old was a member of the AFL Players' Association executive for the last eight years of his playing career, and at one point was the only current player on the League's rules committee.
"I've got aspirations to get on the Geelong board, but at the right time," Mansfield told AFL.com.au.
"And then if things developed, maybe down the track (a role on) the AFL Commission is something I'd potentially look at, if it was appropriate and I felt I could offer something.
"It's a matter of balancing it up with time with family and the business. Life's so busy at the moment that I'm happy with it going along the way it is.
"If the opportunity arose (now), I'd definitely consider it. But it's a big commitment.
"At some stage I'll definitely have something to offer. If it happens, great; if not, I'm happy just to follow the Cats."
Mansfield has signalled his interest to Geelong CEO Brian Cook and president Colin Carter, the latter a former long-time AFL commissioner.
Ironically, Mansfield's playing career at Geelong was effectively ended by Cook back in 1999, who had just joined the Cats from West Coast. Mansfield, who was traded to Carlton, was furious at the new CEO.
However, the pair soon overcame their differences to the extent that they regularly meet over breakfast and Mansfield describes Cook as one of his mentors.
Another strong influence on Mansfield is AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou, who was the boss of the AFLPA when Mansfield was on the executive. Mansfield regards Demetriou as a "business coach".
Mansfield believes it is important for club boards to boast former players.
"There are things I'd be able to put on the table at board level that the other guys may not be aware of, and that could benefit the player group and that link between player group, club, business and board, and make that a bit more uniform."
Mansfield played 181 games for Geelong and 54 for Carlton. A dual All Australian defender, he was Geelong's best player in successive losing grand finals in 1994 and 1995.
