Exclusive: Greg Swann addresses AFL HQ controversies

The AFL footy boss Greg Swann joined SEN's Gerard Whateley to discuss all things football ahead of season 2026.

Swann is currently in the US after meeting with NFL officials to discuss potential upgrades to umpiring technology, looking into new and improved camera and AI systems for implementation over the coming seasons.

Beyond tech talk, Swann addressed the newest rule changes, and the off-field controversy from within AFL HQ.

Here's what he had to say:

On the arc

“We had an opportunity to talk to the operations people, the guys that look after the refereeing, all the tech, the arc – or their equivalent, which is a fair bit bigger than ours," Swann said.

“That was really interesting, where that is heading and where we want our arc and umpiring to head. They have a chip in the ball, and then they use Hawkeye, which is the primary thing.

“For simple fans of the NFL, nowadays the ref will come out and mark the chains, place the ball – now they do it with virtual signalling. VAR has taken over soccer, being at the Aus Open, they are considering not even having an umpire in the chair.

“Everything is automated. The thing is what we’ve tried to do with some of the changes we implemented last year – let’s just get the decision right. The trick for us is that our game is a lot faster than everyone else’s.

“You could see a time where we can almost with a sound in an umpire’s ear, say ‘that’s not 15 metres’… but that’s probably a little bit down the track.

“I’m certainly (in the mind frame of) ‘get it right’. We’ve had some bad runs – probably the most famous one over the last few years is the Adelaide one. We’ve reviewed that, the arc knew within eight seconds that that was the wrong decision.

“In my view, they should have pulled that up. In the rules as it was then, the play had started, so you couldn’t stop it. If it happens again, we would call that back and pay it a goal.

“The arc is wired to the umpires and the umpires’ coaching, so they would just signal. Every goal gets reviewed anyway, but the rule was that if the play had started, you couldn’t stop it.

“We’re looking at it now. People don’t like the stop/start of the review, but I think they probably get more upset if it’s wrong.

“We’re looking now to upgrade the cameras. The shudder speeds at the moment are at around four. There are new cameras out there that we are looking to either purchase or lease that do 24 – six times better.

“We had a little bit of an example of that in one of the finals – we got one of those cameras and used it in the finals, and that was the one that picked up Swallow’s touched ball against Freo.

“You can clearly see that it hit the finger – that’s the better quality that we will get after implementing during the season.”

On rule changes

“The two ones – getting used to the stand, and the ruck rules – they are the two where the feedback has been.

“I’ve spoken to a few coaches and most of them are saying they know what they are and that they are getting used to it.

“Everybody is worried at the start about 50 metre penalties and things – there will be some, but it’s like anything. There will be some teething problems.

“My experience with the players is that they adapt really quickly, and the coaches coach that, because if you’re giving away four or five 50 mere penalties, that’s not good for your team.

“So far, so good. The other little things which we’ve brought in to speed the game up – throwing the ball up straight away, that has made a difference. That’s not very contentious, that one.

“We will trial it next Saturday at the AFL Origin – we’ve got the best players out there, hopefully they’ve adapted the quickest!

“Another one that has been interesting is how clubs are going to use the fifth on the bench.

“Some have talked about holding a person back, a bit like the sub, and bring them on fresh. That will be really interesting. It’s a strategic play for each club.”

On HQ Politics

Are you and Laura Kane at loggerheads in the football department?

“No, certainly not. It’s a bit frustrating. I think this time of year; we need the footy to start so people can talk about that.

“It was said early in the piece that there were problems – there was a little bit of overlay with the roles, but that was sorted out well before Christmas.

“It’s a bit like reheating old soup; the story just keeps popping out off the back of other stories. Everyone is clear on their responsibilities, and it’s been fine.

“That is a bit frustrating, but hopefully once the games start, people will start talking about the games instead of the off-field stuff.”

Do you feel like you’re functioning in an optimal way as a football department?

“Yeah, I do.

“We’ve got Justin Reid in who will start later this month – he is a fantastic operator, very experienced person. That completes our team, and the team that is already there are really high functioning as well.

“Everything is in place. I can’t wait for the season to start.”

Listen to the full chat below: