CRAIG Drummond, former President of the Geelong Cats and the chair of Transurban, was today elected to the AFL Commission by the Presidents of the 18 AFL clubs, and will serve as Chair to replace the retiring Richard Goyder.
Mr Drummond, one of Australia’s leading business executives, was elected unopposed to the AFL Commission at today’s Annual General Meeting held in Sydney to replace Mr Goyder, while commissioner Paul Bassat was also re-elected for a further three-year term.
Mr Drummond becomes the sixth chair of the AFL in competition history, following on from Ross Oakley (1986-93), John Kennedy (1993-97), Ron Evans (1997-2007), Mike Fitzpatrick (2007-17) and Mr Goyder (2017-25).
Mr Drummond said he was honoured to be elected into the role and told the clubs at today’s official meeting of Presidents and Chief Executives, also attended by AFL Commissioners and the AFL Executive Team under CEO Andrew Dillon, there would be three core areas of the game that would be the key focus for football in the coming years.
“The footy, the fans, and the future. That will be our mantra, working with all of our stakeholders to make Australia’s game even better." Mr Drummond said.
“Growing the game in new markets, deepening our connection to our fans, and reaching new ones so our game is a true reflection of modern Australia,
“The experience of everyone in our game is central to their link to their clubs, and that requires us to work with our stakeholders at every level.
“We have the best game in the world, and our job must always be to protect what makes it great, keep it both safe and exciting to play and watch, and give our fans the best possible experience.”
Mr Drummond paid tribute to Mr Goyder for his time as chair, which saw the game successfully navigate the difficult Covid period in 2020-21, secure a record broadcast rights agreement for football, expand the AFLW competition to 18 teams, award a new licence to the Tasmania Devils FC and re-build the game’s financial stability among his lead achievements.
“I wish to acknowledge Richard’s enormous contribution to the game, and to congratulate him and thank him and Janine for all their work and time given for the growth of the game,” he said.
“Richard has truly loved the game, and he’s driven the growth and financial stability for Australian football – a record broadcast rights deal, new Stadiums and infrastructure for our fans, record participation, years of record membership and strong clubs across the country representing their supporters and members.”
Today’s AFL AGM also today formalised the game’s new Life Members, while Essendon volunteer Colin Hooper and former SANFL Ground Operations Manager Sharon Stephens were jointly presented with the Jack Titus Award.
Mr Drummond also announced that former Footscray and Brisbane great Michael McLean would be this year’s honouree for Sir Doug Nicholls round.
McLean, an All Australian player, dual best and fairest winner and member of Brisbane’s Hall of Fame, was one of the four original players alongside Michael Long, Gilbert McAdam and Che Cockatoo-Collins who helped the AFL develop its ground-breaking Anti-Vilification policy 30 years ago, working with former chief executive Ross Oakley and the late Tony Peek.
