The AFL has hired Brisbane Lions chief executive Greg Swann to be the league’s new head of football performance.
The role was created when AFL boss Andrew Dillon split Laura Kane’s position in half, creating a new position that will also sit on the executive.
Greg Swann is starting at AFLCredit: Justin McManus
Dillon announced last week the new executive head of football performance would be responsible for the match review officer, umpiring, game analysis, player movement, laws of the game, innovation and club engagement within football.
The appointment of a veteran club administrator - Swann has been a club CEO for a quarter of a century - will address concerns among clubs that AFL had lost touch with their needs.
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“Footy is at the heart of everything we do, it has to be front and centre,” Dillon said in announcing the restructure last week.
“It’s the reason people care, the reason they’re passionate, the reason they show up every week. My focus is making sure we keep working closely with our clubs, coaches and players to keep our game strong, and to ensure footy remains the number one sport in the country — by every measure.”
Swann, 63, was chief executive of Carlton and Collingwood, before taking the top job at the Lions in 2014.
He took over at a time when the Lions were struggling financially and performing poorly on the field, and appointed Chris Fagan as coach at the end of 2016.
Swann, who helped steer the Lions to last year’s premiership, is expected to start at league headquarters at the end of July.
The AFL is still searching for a new chief operating officer, who would be second in charge and a likely successor to Dillon. Three club CEOs - Tom Harley from Sydney, Simon Garlick from Fremantle and Ameet Bains from the Western Bulldogs - are on the shortlist.
