Latest news with #AndrewDillon
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Greg swans into AFL job with a radical plan to exercise common sense
The Swann era has started, and it sounds more Ian Collins than Adrian Anderson, Steve Hocking or Laura Kane. That is not to say it will be better, worse or otherwise. But it will be more entertaining. Loading For each topic raised, he had an answer, and the answers were reasonable. Most would hold broad appeal on talkback radio. Why do we wait for ruckmen? And why do they have to nominate for the ruck like it's an Auskick game? And what is it with quarters going 35 minutes and longer? Possibly because he had not yet had time to be briefed by his new staff on the myriad reasons why things are the way they are, his answers were pleasingly frank and not hysterical. The AFL wanted challenging views from someone who was a game insider but an outsider at league headquarters, so they hired Swann. They wanted a sop to clubs and to return to speaking openly in the football vernacular to fans. Swann was getting in early to deliver on their request. The AFL wanted someone from 'clubland' as though it is some amorphous beast where Swann speaks the groupthink. Being from clubland and knowing the interests and preferences of all clubs are two different things, but at the very least, Swann has the connections to temperature-check if his views accord with others. Even CEO Andrew Dillon standing next to him at a press conference on Swann's first day laughed at the club man idea, saying 'give it six months'. Amusingly, Swann chuckled up to the press conference and laid out some plans for change, then praised the good work of everyone whose work he had just been saying he wants to change. Some of his preferred changes he reckons he could get in quickly. There is no real integrity problem in refusing to wait for ruckmen, but it could be his first introduction to unhappy coaches when the ball is thrown up before that club's ruckman is there. Simplifying rules like holding the ball and the stand rule, to make umpiring easier, might take more time. Ditto throwing the ball up instead of bouncing. That might need to wait until next year. Resistance might come in surprising places when he presses the issue. He told critics to suck it up about a rare 50-metre penalty for dissent that was paid at the MCG on Sunday when Fremantle's Karl Worner pointed to the scoreboard replay. 'I think everyone knows you're not allowed to do that, so don't do it,' he said, admitting others will complain of similar instances that were not penalised. Oh well, that'll happen. His style was ironically more Peter V'Landys than Andrew Dillon. The AFL ordinarily ignores the belligerent V'Landys, Swann was more unafraid to dare utter the three letters N. R. L. Swann took the lead of Andrew Dillon to remind all that his suggestions were all minor tweaks and that the overall game was in rude health. Best game in the world. He then went where the AFL seldom does and name-checked the other codes. 'From my point of view (AFL) is a fantastic game. It's the best game in the world,' he said. 'I mean, I've moved up to Queensland, obviously, and you get rugby league and everything else, the British Lions were there on the weekend. And our game leaves them in the shade. 'The things (changes) I'm talking about, hopefully are tweaks, there's nothing radical needs to happen.' Loading
The Age
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Greg swans into AFL job with a radical plan to exercise common sense
The Swann era has started, and it sounds more Ian Collins than Adrian Anderson, Steve Hocking or Laura Kane. That is not to say it will be better, worse or otherwise. But it will be more entertaining. Loading For each topic raised, he had an answer, and the answers were reasonable. Most would hold broad appeal on talkback radio. Why do we wait for ruckmen? And why do they have to nominate for the ruck like it's an Auskick game? And what is it with quarters going 35 minutes and longer? Possibly because he had not yet had time to be briefed by his new staff on the myriad reasons why things are the way they are, his answers were pleasingly frank and not hysterical. The AFL wanted challenging views from someone who was a game insider but an outsider at league headquarters, so they hired Swann. They wanted a sop to clubs and to return to speaking openly in the football vernacular to fans. Swann was getting in early to deliver on their request. The AFL wanted someone from 'clubland' as though it is some amorphous beast where Swann speaks the groupthink. Being from clubland and knowing the interests and preferences of all clubs are two different things, but at the very least, Swann has the connections to temperature-check if his views accord with others. Even CEO Andrew Dillon standing next to him at a press conference on Swann's first day laughed at the club man idea, saying 'give it six months'. Amusingly, Swann chuckled up to the press conference and laid out some plans for change, then praised the good work of everyone whose work he had just been saying he wants to change. Some of his preferred changes he reckons he could get in quickly. There is no real integrity problem in refusing to wait for ruckmen, but it could be his first introduction to unhappy coaches when the ball is thrown up before that club's ruckman is there. Simplifying rules like holding the ball and the stand rule, to make umpiring easier, might take more time. Ditto throwing the ball up instead of bouncing. That might need to wait until next year. Resistance might come in surprising places when he presses the issue. He told critics to suck it up about a rare 50-metre penalty for dissent that was paid at the MCG on Sunday when Fremantle's Karl Worner pointed to the scoreboard replay. 'I think everyone knows you're not allowed to do that, so don't do it,' he said, admitting others will complain of similar instances that were not penalised. Oh well, that'll happen. His style was ironically more Peter V'Landys than Andrew Dillon. The AFL ordinarily ignores the belligerent V'Landys, Swann was more unafraid to dare utter the three letters N. R. L. Swann took the lead of Andrew Dillon to remind all that his suggestions were all minor tweaks and that the overall game was in rude health. Best game in the world. He then went where the AFL seldom does and name-checked the other codes. 'From my point of view (AFL) is a fantastic game. It's the best game in the world,' he said. 'I mean, I've moved up to Queensland, obviously, and you get rugby league and everything else, the British Lions were there on the weekend. And our game leaves them in the shade. 'The things (changes) I'm talking about, hopefully are tweaks, there's nothing radical needs to happen.' Loading
West Australian
7 days ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Tasmanian Greens buy AFL CEO Andrew Dillon a flight to Hobart as stadium row escalates ahead of election
The Tasmanian Greens party have chipped in to buy a flight ticket for AFL CEO Andrew Dillon in their latest publicity stunt to draw attention to the state's controversial proposed stadium. The $1 billion Macquarie Point stadium has been a sticking point for the Greens, who are vehemently opposed to the project despite it being a non-negotiable for the AFL to expand to the state. Despite bipartisan support from the major parties, the Greens could be crucial given another hung parliament is projected after Premier Jeremy Rockliff was forced to call a snap election for July 19. It could see the stadium remain in political limbo with the Greens urging Dillon to speak to locals on election day. 'Since the beginning of the stadium saga, the AFL has spent all their time talking to Liberal - and more recently Labor - politicians and ignoring the Tasmanian community. That needs to change. The AFL CEO should front up and listen to Tasmanians,' the Greens' statement read. 'The AFL CEO can come down, head out to some polling booths, and hear for himself what people think about the stadium. He could even head along to the Hawks vs Power game in the afternoon and remind himself of just how good a place York Park is to play football. 'We know Andrew Dillon is a busy guy, but given the huge turmoil the AFL's insistence on a stadium has caused for Tasmania, surely the least he can do is show up? 'While he might not be used to flying Jetstar, we've bought him extra leg room to make the trip a bit more like what he's probably accustomed to.' Hawthorn will face Port Adelaide at Launceston's University of Tasmania Stadium on Saturday . The original agreement between the state and the AFL was for the stadium to be finished in time for the 2029 season, with the state set to cop a $4.5 million penalty if it's not half finished by 2027. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has urged the state to get on with the project and look at the wider benefits of a team. 'We support a stadium, not just because of what it will do for AFL, but for what it will do in Hobart,' the Prime Minister told the Two Good Sports podcast. The federal government has allocated $240m for the project, while the AFL has tipped in $15m for the stadium.
Perth Now
7 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Greens play political football over Tassie stadium
More than half of agents say drug use is an issue for their players. The Tasmanian Greens party have chipped in to buy a flight ticket for AFL CEO Andrew Dillon in their latest publicity stunt to draw attention to the state's controversial proposed stadium. The $1 billion Macquarie Point stadium has been a sticking point for the Greens, who are vehemently opposed to the project despite it being a non-negotiable for the AFL to expand to the state. Despite bipartisan support from the major parties, the Greens could be crucial given another hung parliament is projected after Premier Jeremy Rockliff was forced to call a snap election for July 19. It could see the stadium remain in political limbo with the Greens urging Dillon to speak to locals on election day. 'Since the beginning of the stadium saga, the AFL has spent all their time talking to Liberal - and more recently Labor - politicians and ignoring the Tasmanian community. That needs to change. The AFL CEO should front up and listen to Tasmanians,' the Greens' statement read. 'The AFL CEO can come down, head out to some polling booths, and hear for himself what people think about the stadium. He could even head along to the Hawks vs Power game in the afternoon and remind himself of just how good a place York Park is to play football. 'We know Andrew Dillon is a busy guy, but given the huge turmoil the AFL's insistence on a stadium has caused for Tasmania, surely the least he can do is show up? 'While he might not be used to flying Jetstar, we've bought him extra leg room to make the trip a bit more like what he's probably accustomed to.' Hawthorn will face Port Adelaide at Launceston's University of Tasmania Stadium on Saturday . The original agreement between the state and the AFL was for the stadium to be finished in time for the 2029 season, with the state set to cop a $4.5 million penalty if it's not half finished by 2027. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has urged the state to get on with the project and look at the wider benefits of a team. 'We support a stadium, not just because of what it will do for AFL, but for what it will do in Hobart,' the Prime Minister told the Two Good Sports podcast. The federal government has allocated $240m for the project, while the AFL has tipped in $15m for the stadium.
The Australian
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
AFL legend Barrie Robran dies aged 77
Australian football Hall of Fame Legend and arguably South Australia's greatest footballer, Barrie Robran, has died. Robran, who won three Magarey Medals as the best player in the SANFL, as well as seven best and fairests for his club North Adelaide across 201 games, was 77. One of the inaugural inductees into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996, Robran was elevated to a legend five years later despite never playing in the VFL, choosing instead to dominate in his home state. The Barry Robran statue at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Jason Hywood He was the first South Australian to be named a Hall of Fame legend. Robran kicked 194 goals for North Adelaide from 1967-80, won premierships in 1971-72 and is also in the club's team of the century. He was such a revered figure in South Australia that there's a statue of Robran at the Adelaide Oval that serves as a permanent reminder of his standing. Robran was an SA stalwart, played 17 state matches and served as an SA selector for 14 years. AFL CEO, Andrew Dillon said there was little debate around who was SA's best ever player 'This is a terribly sad day for South Australian football, as Barrie Robran was the outstanding player in a time when the game was built around state pride, and testing yourselves at a state level against the best from around the country,' Mr Dillon said. 'While fans in other states may argue over who were their best-ever players, that same debate has always been absent in Adelaide as any South Australian who saw Robran play simply defers to him as the greatest.' North Adelaide president Kris Mooney said Robran was 'more than just a footballer'. 'He was the embodiment of everything North Adelaide stands for – excellence, humility, and unwavering loyalty. His legacy will forever inspire us, and his quiet grace touched everyone he met,' he said in a statement. 'We are incredibly proud to call him one of our own.' Robran takes a mark in the SANFL in 1973. Picture: Ray Titus One of Robran's sons, Matthew, was a dual-premiership player in 130 games for the Adelaide Crows, further cementing the family's football legacy. His niece, Jade, an Adelaide media personality, had to leave her morning radio show after being told the news of her father's death on Wednesday. Read related topics: Adelaide
