FOOTBALL OPERATIONS MARK EVANS GENERAL MANAGER BIG STRIDES The GWS Giants, under co-captain Phil Davis, continued their development in their third season in the competition, winning six games. Ñ 46 AFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 FOOTBALL OPERATIONS 47 2014 AFL FOOTBALL SEASON Hawthorn clinched the Toyota AFL premiership with a Grand Final victory over the Sydney Swans that rated with any team performance in the game’s history. Expected to be a fierce contest between the OPERATIONS 2012 and 2013 premiers, the Hawks claimed back-to-back flags with a powerful display that shocked their highly rated opponents and put An enthralling finals series, introduction of an the full stop to a wonderful month of football in September. Across the nine matches of the interchange cap and announcement of revamped Toyota AFL Finals Series, thrilling contests were the dominant feature while the first AFL final at the judicial systems were features of an exciting 2014. refurbished Adelaide Oval, between Port Adelaide and Richmond in week one, produced an atmosphere matched only by Grand Final day. Port Adelaide and North he primary responsibility of the The International Rules Series Melbourne both upset the recent Football Operations Department against Ireland was re-launched in 2014 order of finals history by winning is the weekly delivery of the nine with the qualification for selection being their way into preliminary finals Toyota AFL Premiership Season that to be eligible, each player must have from outside the top four, and Port matches during each round been selected for All-Australian honours Adelaide finished just three points shy of the AFL competition and during their career. of pipping eventual premier Hawthorn its showcase matches in the Toyota The game was strongly received with a T in an epic preliminary final at the MCG. AFL Finals Series. sell-out crowd in Perth, excellent television In the 2014 finals series, the quality ratings, a high-class performance from a MARK EVANS of matches, and their staging, was of committed Australian team and renewed GENERAL MANAGER the highest order and was a deserved enthusiasm for the concept among AFL reward for the efforts of staff over the players in particular. Ò past 12 months. Through the past year, AFL Football Operations was at the forefront of a key change to the history of the game with In the 2014 finals series, the introduction of an interchange cap, requiring a considerable adjustment the quality of matches, for clubs, players and officials. and their staging, was Further, in the lead-up to the 2015 season, the department had its of the highest order recommendations for a simpler and clearer judicial system for the game approved by DEFYING HISTORY the AFL Commission, with a revised system North Melbourne of operation for the Match Review Panel won its way into and AFL Tribunal after operating a ‘shadow a preliminary system’ through 2014 to test its readiness final from outside the top four. Ò for introduction in 2015. 48 AFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 FOOTBALL OPERATIONS 49 INTERCHANGE CAP BENCH CONTROL PRIDE RESTORED Interchange rotations Skipper Joel Selwood and Football Operations led the introduction were capped at 120 a coach Alastair Clarkson of an interchange cap of 120 rotations game in 2014. after Australia reclaimed the Ñ Cormac McAnallen Trophy. a match for the 2014 season, plus any Ñ changes made at quarter breaks and the use of the substitute, that was approved by the AFL Commission in August 2013. The cap will also apply for the 2015 Toyota AFL Premiership Season before it is reviewed again by the AFL Commission, but the department was extremely pleased with how the introduction had been managed by match-day officials and the umpiring department, working with clubs and players. The cap was introduced at 120 changes a match as there was considerable feedback that a previously mooted cap of 80 interchanges a match, as flagged at the end of the 2012 season, 2014 AFL TRIBUNAL SUMMARY was too strict a change to be introduced MRP AND TRIBUNAL CHANGES 2014 immediately and both the majority of After a 12-month examination of the clubs and the AFL Players’ Association Match Review Panel and Tribunal in 2014, Charges 183 had sought either a higher figure or no the AFL Commission approved changes at Tribunal hearings 15 restriction at all. its November meeting, designed largely The introduction of the cap was to simplify the game’s judiciary process for No. of cases not sustained 5 designed to preserve the current levels all members of the football community of interchange numbers and protect and to make it easier to understand. No. of players accepting prescribed penalty 168 against further escalation, but this will The key changes included: % of players accepting prescribed penalty 92% be subject to detailed analysis again ÆÆAll offences to now be categorised through the 2015 year. as fines or weeks of suspension, No. of players suspended 55 no longer using any reference Matches lost through suspension 75 to base demerit points. LAWS OF THE GAME CHARTER ÆÆThe elimination of carry-over points Appeals 2 COMMITTED The AFL finalised its Charter for on any offence. Sydney Swans Financial sanctions $96,350 INTERNATIONAL RULES co-captain Jarrad the Laws of the Game Committee ÆÆConduct now to be graded in two McVeigh was one in 2014, with a primary focus to guide categories only – intentional or careless. Reprimands 41 Australia played Ireland in a one-off Test The AFL remained committed to of the stars of Australia’s victory. the Committee’s decision-making ÆÆThe MRP to issue fines, two-game for the 2014 Virgin Australia International the IRS concept and was keen to revitalise Ò as it relates to the way the game and three-game suspensions, with Football Operations staff examined Rules Series at Patersons Stadium in interest by ensuring it involved the best is played at AFL level. more serious offences referred to the MRP process for more than 12 months, Perth on Saturday, November 22. AFL players available, competing under Following extensive consultation the Tribunal. with a focus to retain the excellent To re-brand and re-launch the series, rules that suited all players. with stakeholders, fan research and ÆÆSimplification of the bad record parts of the system while simplifying its it was determined Australia would be The Australian squad was: discussion at the Laws of the Game provisions, with a maximum addition of operation and ensuring that appropriate represented by only the most talented AFL Grant Birchall (Hawthorn), Travis Boak Committee and the AFL Commission, one extra week’s suspension on a penalty. penalties were in place for offences. players and officials, with the line-up limited (Port Adelaide), Luke Breust (Hawthorn), the Charter sets out to: ÆÆRetention of discounts for early pleas It was not desirable to continue to to individuals who had been honoured Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide), Dustin ÆÆProvide the Laws of the Game (lowering of fines or one-match see players missing matches for low-level with selection in the All-Australian squad Fletcher (Essendon), Nat Fyfe (Fremantle), Committee and other stakeholders suspension reduction), but removal offences, due to carry-over points and during their careers. Brendon Goddard (Essendon), Robbie Gray with an overview of the guiding of automatic good record provision. poor records, while fans also struggled The Australian team was coached (Port Adelaide), Brent Harvey (North principles and fundamental elements ÆÆBrownlow Medal eligibility to be to understand how a verdict was reached by triple Hawthorn premiership coach Melbourne), Luke Hodge (Hawthorn), of Australian Football. based around whether a player was under the points system. Alastair Clarkson, supported by leading Kieren Jack (Sydney Swans), Steve Johnson ÆÆProvide a clear reference point from suspended/not suspended for a match rival coaches Ross Lyon and Chris Scott. (Geelong), Jarrad McVeigh (Sydney Swans), the AFL Commission to the Laws of in any particular home and away season. With a squad containing seven club Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn), Leigh Montagna the Game Committee when assessing ÆÆIntroduction of fines for low-level captains and two former club captains, (St Kilda), Nic Naitanui (West Coast), Nick the game and considering potential offences, but with suspensions Australia regained the Cormac McAnallen Riewoldt (St Kilda), Tom Rockliff (Brisbane rule and interpretation changes. available to repeat third offenders The AFL Commission Trophy and, most importantly, breathed Lions), Joel Selwood (captain, Geelong), ÆÆGive the AFL Commission a clear within a season. approved changes designed life back into the series in front of a Brodie Smith (Adelaide), Nick Smith reference point when considering ÆÆMRP retains the capacity to upgrade sell-out crowd after two disappointing (Sydney Swans), Harry Taylor recommendations for the Laws impact where there is the potential largely to simplify the series in 2011 and 2013 in which Australia (Geelong), Jobe Watson (Essendon) of the Game Committee. to cause injury. game’s judiciary process had performed poorly. and Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide). 50 AFL ANNUAL REPORT 2014 FOOTBALL OPERATIONS 51 In September 2014, South Australian umpire Eleni Glouftsis and Victorian 2014 UMPIRING MILESTONES UMPIRING umpire Lucinda Lopes were placed on 2013 AFL INJURY REPORT All-Australian: an AFL Female Pathway Scholarship ÆÆMatt Stevic (field) in a bid for them to reach the senior DOWNED HAWK ÆÆMark Thomson (boundary) DEPARTMENT AFL Field Umpire List in the coming years. Cyril Rioli has been ÆÆChris Appleton (goal) Glouftsis, 22, and Lopes, 20, are a victim of the AFL’s Hayden Kennedy was appointed as senior considered the most promising female No. 1 injury concern, Debut Umpires: coach to the AFL umpiring list, replacing a hamstring strain . field umpires at state league level across ÆÆAndrew Stephens (field) the retired Rowan Sawers.