The original and pre-eminent footy power list is back again in 2023!
Movers and Shapers highlights the 50 most powerful people in the AFL.
The AFL Record’s senior writer Ash Browne has compiled his power rankings list starting at 50 and counting down to 1.
See the Top 10 below:
10. KYLIE ROGERS
AFL Executive General Manager, Commercial and Customer
Last year: 20
Crowds, memberships, commercial partnerships and digital come under her watch and all grew significantly in 2022. She is responsible for $400 million of revenue for the code. Another who is in consideration for the top job.
9. PATRICK DELANEY
Foxtel CEO
Last year: 11
Fox Footy isn’t going anywhere, with Delaney making sure Foxtel and Kayo are key AFL broadcast and streaming partners through until 2031. Now to get their callers out of the studio and at the games.
8. JAMES WARBURTON
Channel Seven CEO
Last year: -
The AFL sold its broadcast rights from 2025-2031 for $4.5 billion and Seven will pay a sizeable chunk of that. Warburton negotiated hard and secured coveted streaming rights for his network. Trusted sports boss Lewis Martin (No.6 last year) manages the relationship with the League on an operational level.
7. PATRICK DANGERFIELD
Geelong midfielder, AFLPA president
Last year: 7
The 2022 premiership medallion now completes his burgeoning trophy cabinet. Wearing his AFLPA hat, the new CBA is next on his agenda. Has a few years of footy left, but media outlets are already clamouring for his services.
6. BRENDON GALE
Richmond CEO
Last year: 8
It makes no sense to a lot of people in football that he has not already been installed as the new AFL CEO when clearly, he is best credentialled for the job, at least externally. Question will be how long he stays on at Punt Road if he misses the main job. Tasmania?
5. RICHARD GOYDER
AFL Commission Chairman
Last year: 4
Such was the magnitude of issues facing the AFL that Goyder convinced McLachlan to stick around a bit longer. Had a busy year with the Commission well below full-strength. But the time has come for him to rip off the Gill-sized bandage and let him walk into the sunset.
4. TRAVIS AULD
AFL Executive General Manager, Finance, Broadcasting and Clubs
Last year: 3
Seen as the other lead internal candidate to replace McLachlan, he was front and centre of negotiations that led to the AFL’s new $4.5 billion media rights deal, nearly a 100 per cent increase on the previous deal, signed in 2015. Has juggled difficult portfolios with aplomb and kept the League’s balance sheet healthy.
3. ANDREW DILLON
AFL Legal Counsel, Executive GM of football
Last year: 2
McLachlan’s longtime loyal lieutenant and a leading and most worthy candidate to take his place. He has long been entrusted with legal and integrity issues but also is knee deep in football operations, especially since Brad Scott departed for Essendon.
2. PAUL MARSH
AFLPA CEO
Last year: 5
The players love him because he is a union man at heart. No interest whatsoever working for the other side. About to deliver the mother of all CBA’s for both the men and women, while remaining immersed in the key health and welfare issues surrounding the code.
1. GILLON McLACHLAN
AFL CEO
Last year: 1
Had things gone to plan, he’d have sailed off into the sunset by now, but the Hawthorn cultural issue and the CBA, among other items will keep him at the AFL until late next month. He has been an outstanding AFL boss, likely the best there has been, and he leaves the game in brilliant shape, but his successor should have been in place by now.
2023 AFL MOVERS AND SHAPERS: 50-41
2023 AFL MOVERS AND SHAPERS: 40-31
2023 AFL MOVERS AND SHAPERS: 30-21
2023 AFL MOVERS AND SHAPERS: 20-11
SUBSCRIBE TO THE AFL RECORD AND GET IT DELIVERED TO YOUR HOUSE EVERY WEEK.