FOOTBALL OPERATIONS MARK EVANS GENERAL MANAGER It was a challenging but successful year for the AFL’s Football Operations Department which implemented changes to key processes and policies. he AFL’s Football Operations In close consultation with the Department successfully AFL Players Association, the game’s introduced major changes to world-leading Illicit Drug Policy was the game’s disciplinary system significantly revamped, with major around the Match Review Panel changes announced after the end of the and the Tribunal for the 2015 2015 premiership season. TToyota AFL Premiership Season. The Football Department is primarily These changes were introduced responsible for the operation of the elite primarily to simplify the understanding AFL competition and staff responded of the game’s judiciary process for all strongly in difficult circumstances to the members of the football community. unprecedented cancellation of a game Over the past 12 months, the in 2015, following the tragic death of Level Four Coaching Program for Adelaide Crows coach Phil Walsh. leading coaching candidates was The death of a serving senior coach significantly expanded and department shocked all parts of the Australian sporting staff had central roles in major changes community and the football department DOCKER DYNAMO Livewire small forward around the competition rules relating was required to ensure the AFL competition Michael Walters led the to Father-Son and Academy Player could appropriately grieve for the loss of goalkicking as Fremantle bidding at the National Draft, the Walsh while displaying the professionalism finished the home and away season on top of the ladder trading of future draft selections and required for the season’s remaining 3 for the first time. key Laws changes. matches to continue. Ò 56 FOOTBALL OPERATIONS 57 to comply with the prescribed program or around match-specific coaching to assist IN THE BOOK ILLICIT DRUG POLICY demonstrating risky behaviour, clubs may the on-field development of young talent Fremantle defender TRIBUNAL/ A revised Illicit Drugs Policy was also be notified. and off-field education to ensure they can Alex Silvagni has his number taken in round announced after the end of the 2015 These changes were agreed between thrive in an AFL club environment. 20 against West Coast. season, after wide-ranging discussions all parties to reflect the continued MRP CHANGES through the year between the AFL and evolution of the IDP, acknowledging the AFLPA, medical officers and AFL clubs. complex nature of illicit drug use while LEVEL FOUR SENIOR The AFL Commission approved changes to ÆÆEnhanced player education and striking a balance between protecting the operation of the Match Review Panel COACH PROGRAM counselling programs – to help the health and wellbeing of players and and AFL Tribunal for the 2015 Toyota AFL players with meaningful and lasting providing appropriate deterrents and The AFL introduced its Level Four Program Premiership Season, designed largely to behavioural changes. controls to shift player behaviour. in 2015 to prepare highly rated assistant simplify the understanding of the game’s ÆÆAppropriate system of medical The AFL wishes to restate for the coaches for a potential head coach judiciary process for all members of the interventions as required – delivered record that AFL-listed players agree to position at an AFL club with concentrated football community. by the AFL Medical Officer, AFL doctors a regime of testing and sanctions for mentoring and development work, beyond and medical experts. illicit drug taking above and beyond the existing Level Three Program. The key changes included: ÆÆOpportunity for players to modify the testing for performance-enhancing John Barker (Carlton), Brendon ÆÆAll offences categorised as fines behaviour at first detection – drugs, as part of their responsibility as a Bolton (then Hawthorn), Blake Caracella or matches of suspension, no interventions at this stage do not professional athlete. (Geelong), Stuart Dew (Sydney Swans), longer using any reference to base ÆÆIntroduction of fines for low-level In 2016, the guidelines for dangerous tackles involve a playing or financial sanction The game continues to enact this Simon Goodwin (Melbourne), Robert demerit points. offences, but with suspensions will enforce a stricter definition of dangerous but trigger education and counselling policy, when many sports have no version Harvey (Collingwood), Adam Kingsley ÆÆThe elimination of carryover points on imposed for repeat third offenders tackles which cause forceful high contact and programs, along with target testing. of a policy in operation, because the AFL (St Kilda), Simon Lloyd (then Fremantle) any offence. within a season. the following changes will also be made: ÆÆStricter set of consequences for players industry understands the threat of illicit and Matthew Nicks (Port Adelaide) were ÆÆConduct graded in two categories only who fail to modify their behaviour – Appeal Grounds – A ‘manifestly drugs to players’ health and wellbeing, and the leading contenders in a high-quality – intentional or careless. Four new MRP members were named to public suspension and fine after inadequate’ sanction or classification will we also believe the privilege of playing AFL field of applicants who sought to be part ÆÆThe MRP to issue fines, two-match the weekly operation of the review of all second detection. be available as appeal grounds. This has comes with a responsibility to the club and of the program. and three-match suspensions, with games – Luke Ball, Nathan Burke, Michael ÆÆIncreased club involvement – been introduced after the AFL considered to the game. The selection process involved an more serious offences referred to Christian and Brad Sewell, who could clubs informed earlier and greater it could not appeal a suspension that was extensive application, peer and senior coach the Tribunal. call on four premierships and nearly 900 involvement in education and deemed too low, whereas a player or club TRANSITION TO NEW SYSTEM review and an interview conducted by a ÆÆSimplification of the Bad Record games of AFL experience between them. counselling programs. retained the right to appeal a suspension ÆÆPlayers with one detection more than combination of highly regarded coaches and provisions, with a maximum addition The operation of the panel was that ÆÆUrine testing and year-round hair that was deemed too high. two years old (with no further positive CEOs. Former AFL coach Peter Schwab and of one extra match of suspension on three of the four members would rule on testing – urine testing to determine tests) will enter the new system with 2006 West Coast premiership coach John a penalty. incidents each week, with the make-up Impact Guidelines – The wording consequences; hair testing to monitor no detections. Worsfold were joined by Socceroos coach ÆÆRetention of discounts for early pleas of the panel regularly altering through the around the potential to cause serious behaviour and direct target testing and ÆÆIf a player is on two detections, his Ange Postecoglou, leading hockey coach (lowering of fines or one-match season. A chairman was not appointed, with injury will be expanded to include education programs. next detection will result in four-week Ric Charlesworth and club CEOs Trevor suspension reduction), but removal of a majority 2-1 or 3-0 ruling on each incident to intentional head-high strikes and high ÆÆNo public release of results – the AFL suspension and the $5000 fine. Nisbett (West Coast), Greg Swann (Brisbane automatic good record provision. determine whether a charge was laid. bumps with significant head contact will no longer release the results of illicit ÆÆIf a player is on one detection, the next Lions), Peter Jackson (Melbourne) and Brian ÆÆBrownlow Medal eligibility based Daniel Harford, Shane Wakelin and and/or player momentum. drug testing. detection will be a $5000 fine, plus the Cook (Geelong). around whether a player was Paul Williams also joined the Tribunal jury ÆÆSelf-notification – players will be Contact With An Injured Player – club informed but no suspension. suspended/not suspended for a as new members, as part of the rotation permitted one self-notification, The course centres around four key This will be deemed as a fixed financial match in any particular home and of members to sit on any cases taken to allowed only if they have not components – core coaching modules, sanction on the table of offences. away season. hearings through the season. previously been identified under NAB AFL ACADEMY HEAD COACH an individual learning plan, a program for the Illicit Drugs Policy. high-impact leadership and individual ÆÆPlayers in the AFL’s Talent Pathway Brenton Sanderson was appointed from a coach mentoring. The core modules AFL TRIBUNAL SUMMARY programs will also undergo testing with high-quality field of applicants to guide the address areas including rules, regulations, 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 detections of an illicit substance to be overall development of the elite teenage governance, integrity, government relations and the economy of the game. Charges 137 150 128 147 159 178 236 157 183 196 communicated to the respective club players in the country as they prepared for doctor once drafted. possible AFL careers. Other modules address quality coaching Tribunal hearings 32 42 22 35 25 15 25 15 15 11 Sanderson played 209 games for the practice, strategic communications, media No. of cases not sustained 11 12 6 15 5 3 8 2 5 1 Interventions and consequences Adelaide Crows, Collingwood and Geelong training and ethical leadership. Appeals 4 1 0 3 0 1 1 0 2 0 are as follows: between 1992-2005, before taking on Four mentor coaches are involved with No. of players accepting prescribed penalty 105 108 106 112 134 163 211 142 168 185 ÆÆFirst detection: $5000 financial assistant coaching roles at Port Adelaide the program – Neale Daniher (football), sanction (suspended) and compulsory (2006) and the Cats (2007-11) and the Ric Charlesworth (hockey), Cliff Mallett % of players accepting prescribed penalty 77% 72% 83% 76% 85% 92% 89% 90% 92% 97% counselling and education programs.