‘I wasn’t happy’: AFL CEO has say on SCG farce... and how umpire crackdown could play out

Andrew Dillon believes AFL is in “unbelievable shape” but does concede that there is still room for improvement, especially when it comes to some of the biggest issues.

Appearing on SEN’s Fireball on Friday morning, Dillon gave his thoughts on some of the biggest issues facing the game right now, including the latest on the league’s umpire contact crackdown, how much change he expects when Greg Swann and Tom Harley arrive at AFL HQ, the state of the SCG turf and the Northern Academy and NGA rules.

Keep reading below to see a transcript of his comments.

UMPIRE CONTACT CRACKDOWN

Earlier this week, the AFL announced that players hit with a fourth or subsequent careless umpire contact charge within the past two seasons will likely be sent straight to the tribunal. Clubs will also be fined $5000 outside of the salary cap. Star Suns midfielder Matt Rowell is among the big name players across the competition who could be in line for a ban if he is penalised for it again.

“We are concerned about the number of umpire contacts that are happening,” Dillon said.

“Back in 2022 we had six for the year, it was low 20s in 2023, up to 50 last year, and then we’ve already had 60 this year.

“We wrote to the clubs at the start of the year, warning that this was on the radar.

“Again we wrote to the clubs in April and reminded the clubs to remind the players that there is the potential if there are multiple infractions for the same offence, which has got a fixed financial sanction, that there is the ability to refer that to the Tribunal. So we reminded the clubs and the players that that actually exists.

“We had a president’s meeting in June where I raised that again. We had a lot of talk about umpires, and that was another thing that we raised there - the increased number. By that stage, the number of careless contacts had already gone above what it was last year.

“Then at the CEO’s conference after another weekend where there was another three or four careless contacts, we advised the CEOs to remind them that that is there. And also, if there are players that have multiple ones in addition to the fines for the players and the potential to go to the Tribunal that the clubs would be fined $5000.”

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COULD WE SEE A PLAYER MISS GAMES?

“I won’t go into hypotheticals, but if it was a careless contact for clipping heels, that would be a fine, but if it’s someone who’s had multiple (offences), it might be referred to the Tribunal and the fine might be increased.

“I think it’s very unlikely.

“We spoke with all 18 CEOs, and they were really understanding. The health and safety of our players is paramount - we say that all the time.

“Absolutely, it’s the same for our umpires. Of the 60 careless contacts that there were after Round 15, every single one of them was at a stoppage.

“So it’s nothing to do with four umpires or three umpires or two umpires. It’s the umpire backing back with their back when they’re balling it up or bouncing it in the middle.”

RULES ON THE RUN?

“If we feel there is a need to change we will do that.

“This is one where we’ve always had that ability. What we have done - we did it in April, we did it at the start of the year - is just reminding clubs and players that the ability to refer to the Tribunal just sits there.

“And just putting some clarity around when we might use that so if it did happen it wasn’t a surprise.”

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WILL THE AFL INVESTIGATE TRISTAN XERRI HEAD KNOCK?

Questions are being raised over the decision to allow North Melbourne big man Tristan Xerri to remain out on the field during his side’s 49-point defeat to the Western Bulldogs, despite appearing to “drop like a fly” and “lost control of his legs”.

“We look into all of the head knocks after every game, we’ve got a number of staff at the AFL and working in with the club doctors, we review all of those after every single game,” Dillon said.

“Whether he’s been on for a short time or a long time, any potential concussion incident is looked at.

“The health and safety is number one… we’ve got the best doctors in the world in this area.

“It’s a process we continue to refine.”

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AFL APPOINTMENTS - LITTLE OR LOT OF CHANGE?

In recent months, the AFL has appointed Greg Swann as the new Executive General Manager Football Performance, while Tom Harley won the race to become chief operating officer at league HQ as well as Dillon’s second-in-command.

“What I am expecting and what I know will happen is that they will bring their own style to the AFL,” Dillon said.

“Greg’s a 20+ year CEO steeped in football, played at a relatively high level and he’s been really successful. I know he’ll have views on Tribunal, umpiring… I know he has views in terms of the way the structures work, but I don’t want to pre-empt him.

“It’s really important, you can have a view from the outside, but once you get in and get your feet under the desk, I think that’s the important part. It’s great particularly for Greg in the footy department, he starts on the 21st of July, he’ll get to see how we operate, see how the team operates, before we get to review it at the end of the men’s season.”

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THE STATE OF THE SCG TURF

The condition of the SCG turf has come under scrutiny in recent days, after a number of players were unable to keep their feet in Sydney’s clash with the Western Bulldogs last week.

“I wasn’t happy. I bumped into the Swans president after the game and he wasn’t happy with the result, but he wasn’t happy as well. We both took the opportunity to talk to the chairman of venues New South Wales Saturday morning, who to be honest, he wasn’t happy either.

“The ground was absolutely safe, but it wasn’t at the level that we expect. The AFL owns and operates its stadium at Marvel, we spend a lot of time on the turf and we expect that of all our venues.

“We have processes in place, we have turf experts who go and inspect grounds beforehand and we put our faith in them and that;s the view we had beforehand and the view we have post that as well.

“Absolutely (they can fix it in a week). There’s been a lot of work that’s been going on, I’m not a gardener, I don’t know a lot about turf, but we speak to people who do and if you put the time and work in, you can make it happen.

“There’s been weather challenges again this week, but we’re expecting the ground absolutely to be safe and it will play a lot better than it did last week.”

WHAT DID HE MAKE OF TOBY GREENE’S METAL STUDS?

“We have (spoken to Giants) and I understand that when Toby had done that it was before the warning had been sent out, he hasn’t done that since. There is different footwear that the players can wear on a ground that might be a bit slippery as well, when you’re playing at night or in rain.”

HOW IS THE GAME IN TOTALITY?

“I think overall, the game is in unbelievable shape… but we’re not without issues and not without challenges but I think one of the things that is great about our game is that people care so much about it. Your weekend can ride on an umpiring decision on a Thursday or Friday night, because people care so much about the game, it is owned by the fans.

“One of the responsibilities of this role is to listen, but generally our crowds are at record numbers, the viewership first year of a strong broadcast deal, our numbers are really strong there. People are playing the game in more numbers than they have before and our club memberships are over 1.3 million so those overall metrics are really strong, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t be better.”

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NORTHERN ACADEMIES AND NGA SYSTEM

The structures and functions of the Northern Academy system as well as the Next Generation Academy’s have been under the spotlight in recent times, especially given how compromised the 2025 national draft looks right now. St Kilda’s Andrew Bassat and Carl Dilena have been among the most critical of the system in recent times.

“Andrew Bassat and Carl Dilena have some strong views on this and we’ve listened to them. We made changes last year in relation to the draft system and the DVI and how you might match a father-son or an Academy. We announced them this time last year to take effect for this year’s draft.

“I think they will have an impact in relation to the draft as we see Northern Academy and NGA players coming through. It’s really important for us though that we have a game and we’re drawing talent from all around Australia.

“What I’m happy with is that we have a system now that will ensure that there is a fairer price. I think the Northern Academies are really important that our teams in New South Wales and Queensland have the ability to have the same number of home state players as what the other clubs do. Those four teams have got 28 per cent of players from their home state, whereas 66 per cent of players at Victorian clubs are from Victoria.”

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HOW WILL THE MID-SEASON BYES LOOK GOING FORWARD?

“We’ve had a week off, then we had one game, then we had two and now we split it over four or five weeks. There are different views on what’s right and what’s wrong, but what people do love is their footy.

“My personal opinion? It’s either what we did this year or maybe one less week, but I like weekend’s where there is at least seven games. You can have your Thursday night, Friday night, a full slate on the Saturday and a couple of games on the Sunday.

“We also have to be mindful of what we’re asking of our players and also of the football staff. Having a week off is really important for them as well… but making sure on each weekend there’s the right amount of footy for the fans.”

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WILL THERE BE ANY SCORE REVIEW SYSTEM CHANGES?

“I don’t think anything drastically different but there will be refinements.

“We used the (chip in ball) in the AFLW last season and we’re using it in the VFL and we’re continuing to test that. It’s a score assist technology for the AFLW and it’s really helpful for there… but we won’t bring it into the men’s competition in a score review until we’re really comfortable that it can replace what we’ve got and it’s better - but it might be able to enhance.”

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