Inform Magazine - November Edition by AFL Players

Official magazine of the AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLAYERS’ ASSOCIATION

EDITION 59, November 2010

Swanning into

History

Players vote Dane Swan the AFL’s best

AFLPA Contacts Sports House Level 2, 375 Albert Road Albert Park Vic 3206 P: (03) 9926 1344 F: (03) 9926 1350 E: info@aflpa.com.au www.aflplayers.com.au Chief Executive Officer Matt Finnis mattfinnis@aflpa.com.au Office Manager / Executive Assistant Jo Rafferty joanne@aflpa.com.au Reception & Administration Natalie Holmes Natalie@aflpa.com.au General Manager – Player Relations Ian Prendergast ianprendergast@aflpa.com.au Legal Services Consultant Bernie Shinners bernie_shinners@aflpa.com.au Player Relations Coordinator Braden Stokes braden.stokes@aflpa.com.au General Manager - Finance & Administration John Hogan johnhogan@aflpa.com.au Indigenous & Financial Services Coordinator Cory McGrath corymcgrath@aflpa.com.au General Manager – Marketing & Commercial Christine Finnegan Christine@aflpa.com.au

FROM THE CEO

s we look back on another action-packed AFL season – both on and off the field – there’s a lot that AFL players can be proud of. The hard work, commitment and community efforts of AFL Players’ Association members is leading to a greater appreciation of the central role you play in the growth and success of our great game. I believe this increased understanding – in the community, media and among football industry stakeholders – can only bolster efforts to improve conditions for all our members. When I look back on this year, one of the biggest wins that players achieved was the breakthrough on Free Agency. While it hasn’t become a big talking point yet, its introduction in 2012 will be seen in future years as a key milestone in giving some AFL players a workplace freedom that almost every other member of the community takes for granted. There have been a range of challenges, including debate around the quality of the surface at Etihad Stadium and the recent naming of two AFLPA members involved in a police investigation. Both cases, while difficult, demonstrate the Association’s belief that our members deserve strong representation, no matter what the issue. Finally, this is also a time of departures. Football greats such as Simon Goodwin, Brad Johnson, Brett Kirk and Andrew McLeod have played their last games of senior football. I could list a dozen more, including our President, Brett Burton, who will stay on until March next year, juggling the Association Presidency with a new role at the Brisbane Lions. Closer to home, I’d also like to extend my best wishes to former AFL Players’ Association General Manager of Culture and Leadership, Dr Pippa Grange, who has left us to set up her own consultancy. Her contribution to the AFLPA and all players over the past 5 years has been immense. Pleasingly, Pippa will continue to work with us on specific projects supporting the development of our members.

Events Manager Leanne French leanne@aflpa.com.au Public Affairs Manager Ben Hart benhart@aflpa.com.au Communications Officer Heath Evans heathevans@aflpa.com.au General Manager - Player Development Steve Alessio stevealessio@aflpa.com.au Player Development Regional Manager Brett Johnson brettjohnson@aflpa.com.au Player Development Regional Manager Claire Mitchell-Taverner claire@aflpa.com.au Wellbeing Services Manager Matti Clements matti@aflpa.com.au Indigenous & Multicultural Manager Nadia Taib nadia@aflpa.com.au

Regards, Matt Finnis

CLUB DELEGATES

President Brett Burton ............Adelaide

Adelaide................Ben Rutten Brisbane.................Troy Selwood Carlton..................Brad Fisher Collingwood...........Harry O’Brien Essendon................Brent Stanton Fremantle...............Aaron Sandilands Geelong.................Jimmy Bartel Hawthorn...............Xavier Ellis North Melbourne.....Andrew Swallow Melbourne..............Cameron Bruce Port Adelaide..........Troy Chaplin Richmond...............Daniel Jackson St Kilda..................Jason Blake Sydney...................Jude Bolton Western Bulldogs.....Daniel Giansiracusa West Coast.............Brett Jones

Adam Goodes........Sydney Ashley Hansen.........West Coast Robert Murphy.........Western Bulldogs Matthew Pavlich......Fremantle Drew Petrie.............North Melbourne

Player Development Administrator Jennifer Ashton Jennifer@aflpa.com.au

Luke Power..............Brisbane Lions

Cover photograph courtesy of the Herald and Weekly Times

Matt Finnis..............AFLPA CEO

Brad Sewell............Hawthorn

Simon Madden........Past player representative

SINCE THE LAST EDITION OF INFORM, THE AFL PLAYERS’ ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN WORKING HARD FOR ALL AFLPA MEMBERS.

e have celebrated the achievements W of players by holding the Annual AFL Players’ Association Most Valuable Player Awards night in the second week of finals. Over 600 guests, including a great turnout by members, witnessed Collingwood’s Dane Swan win the peer-voted Leigh Matthews Trophy. We’re organising this Year’s Madden Medal function, to be held in December, which recognises those Association members who left the game in 2010.

F ollowing consultation with all players across the country, we have finalised a ‘vision document’ for the upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations with the AFL. This document sets out a range of initiatives that will ensure AFLPA member’s role, in the success of the game is properly recognised.

We are participating in a review of the AFL Illicit Drugs Policy, to ensure it continues to serve the best interests of the players and football in general.

We are working on improving communications with past players and developing a new past players’ magazine which will be distributed bi-annually.

We are working hard to ensure that 10 Free Agency, to be introduced in 2012, is implemented in a way that delivers maximum benefit to both players and the game.

We have begun preparations for the AFL Players’ Association Indigenous Camp to be held in January and February next year.

e have provided spirited W representation for individual players in a range of areas including injury claims, playing contracts and fraudulent online content.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Luke Ball.................Collingwood

What have we done for you lately?

We have protected the interests of the collective playing group by offering strong public advocacy on issues directly impacting on members, such as the quality of the Etihad Stadium surface.

We are pushing for significant changes to the Tribunal System that will promote more fairness and consistency for players.

e’re ensuring our members W continue to be represented by highly skilled and qualified player agents by requiring that they complete a Continued Professional Development program as part of their yearly reaccreditation process.

Michael Barlow accepts the Best First Year Player Award at this Year’s AFLPA MVPs.

EDITION 59, November 2010

Board and Delegate Retirements

Tax Time

Arrivals and Departures at AFL Players’ HQ

FL Players’ Association President Brett Burton has announced his retirement from AFL football after 12 seasons. Brett played 177 matches and kicked 264 goals for the Adelaide Crows but will be best remembered as the “Birdman”, one of the greatest high flyers of all time who consistently thrilled crowds with entries for Mark of the Year. Brett has been a great asset to the AFL Players’ Association both as President this year and, before that, Vice President for 3 years. He steered the Association through a period of growth, marked by key milestones such as the agreement on the introduction of Free Agency.

If you’re leaving footy

t’s strongly encouraged that players who’ve recently retired or become delisted contact the AFLPA’s Transition Services Manager Brett Johnson to discuss the services available. Delisted or retiring players who have been in the system for three plus years will be offered the opportunity to meet with AFLPAs Financial Advisers Matthew Burton, Mark Porter and Brad Wira to assist with the financial transition from the AFL via the Financial Health Check (FHC) The FHC will take the player through a cash flow strategy outlining all fixed and non fixed financial commitments so any that financial issues can be identified. The cost of the FHC is covered by the AFLPA and is available to all players until they receive their respective Player Retirement Account payment in December 2011. Brett can be contacted on (03) 9926 1351 or brettjohnson@aflpa.com.au

Since his retirement, Brett has been appointed as the Brisbane Lions Physical Performance Manager. It is a position for which he is highly qualified, having spent 8 years studying strength and fitness and completing a Bachelor and Honours degrees in Sports Science. Brett’s Presidency will finish in March next year, where he will pass the mantle on to a successor appointed from the Board. At the time of publication, the other Association office bearer who has announced his retirement this year is Brisbane delegate Troy Selwood. We wish Brett and Troy all the best as they embark on the new phases of their careers.

ll players should by now have received a 2010 tax brief from the AFLPA. The guide provides detailed information to assist in the preparation of your 2010 tax return. Topics covered include preparing your tax return and deductions, including how to make the most of new rules around claiming agent fees.

It is recommended that you pass this guide onto your Tax Agent to assist in the preparation of your 2010 Tax Return. If you do not have a copy of the Guide, contact Heath Evans at the Association on 03 9926 1356

Ladder program kicking goals

unding provided by all AFL players to support homeless youth through the Ladder program continues to make a real difference to the lives of young people. To date, two clients have exited the program and moved back in with their family; one client has moved to regional Victoria for a job with stable housing and eleven clients have engaged in education or training. A further 5 are engaged in employment.

Ladder currently runs 21 self-contained apartments in the Melbourne suburb of Collingwood (just 200 metres from the birthplace of the Collingwood Football Club, the Carringbush Hotel) for homeless young people aged 16-25. In addition to providing accommodation, the facility offers internet access, common areas, a rooftop garden, office space, communal laundry and a seminar room. A number of AFL players, along with other elite athletes are providing mentoring to the young people to develop interpersonal, social and life skills with the young people engaged in the program. In South Australia, Ladder St Vincent Street is almost ready to launch. The project will provide 23 self-contained units for homeless young people, with a goal to see the first young people housed early in 2011.

Turn to page 19 for a first-person account of the real difference the Ladder Program is making to the lives of homeless and at-risk young Victorians.

he AFL Players’ Association has farewelled Pippa Grange who has left the organisation after 5 years of dedicated service as the General Manager of Culture and Leadership. Pippa began with the AFL Players’ Association as the Psychology Services Manager. She has started her own business but will still assist the Association in a range of areas including the Board Leadership Development Program.

Jason Murnane recently left the AFL Players’ Association after 6 years of service in the role of Communications Coordinator to take up a new position with the Geelong Advertiser. The AFLPA would like to welcome Christine Finnegan and Heath Evans as the two newest members to the organisation. Christine has joined the AFL Players’ Association in the role of General Manager of Marketing & Commercial. Christine was previously with the Melbourne Storm as

the General Manager of Commercial Operations. This background makes her ideally placed to drive new commercial opportunities for all our members. Heath has taken over Jason’s role as the AFL Players’ Association’s Communications Officer. Heath brings a variety of marketing and communications experience within the sports industry and joins the organisation from the Sports Federation of Victoria (vicsport).

Surface tension AFL PLAYERS BACK FROM SRI LANKA

he AFL Players’ Association has been successful in lobbying Etihad Stadium management to improve the quality of the playing surface, following the much-discussed Round 17 Hawthorn-St Kilda clash. It is the clear view of AFLPA General Manager, Player Relations Ian Prendergast that the majority of the Etihad surface issues over the 2010 season were caused by the scheduling of the AC/DC and George Michael concerts at the start of the year. “We will continue to strongly advocate for the Stadium management to put in place a moratorium on concerts and other events affecting the surface between Christmas and the start of the pre-season competition,” Ian says. On the broader issue of AFL surface quality, Ian recently attended the first meeting of the Turf Standards Review Group, which consists of representatives of the AFL, AFL Medical Officers, AFL Physios and an independent turf expert. The Group has been tasked with improving the procedures and standards of playing surfaces. Issues such as developing new tests for surface quality and garnering player feedback will be raised by Ian at these meetings.

t the time of publication, AFL Players’ Association former General Manager, Culture and Leadership, Dr Pippa Grange will have just returned from a trip to Sri Lanka with six footballers, getting first-hand experience of how sport can be used to improve and strengthen communities. Pippa was joined by AFLPA Board Members Adam Goodes and Brad Sewell, along with Brett Kirk, Richard Tambling, Goodes’ brother Brett (who plays for the Northern Territory Thunder) and Port Melbourne player Jonathan Mullens. The group met with cricketing legend and world record wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan who is working in Seenigama on the East

Coast of Sri Lanka to rebuild tsunami-ravaged communities. They also visited the UNICEF Cricket for Change program which is using cricket to encourage and reintegrate children, caught up in the civil conflict, back into society. A cameraman joined the group and they were all armed with flip cameras so watch out for a documentary and multi-media exhibition on the trip possibly coming to a TV and location near you in the not-too-distant future. Sponsored by Cisco Flip video, Mihin Lanka Airlines and Aitkin Spence Hotels, the second phase of the project will see Sri Lankan sports people coming to Australia to visit indigenous communities.

Taking a punt on the NFL

ormer Carlton and Collingwood ruckman, and AFL Players’ Association member Chris Bryan has been signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a punter for the NFL season.

He signed with famed NFL franchise Green Bay in February but was cut by the Packers only to be thrown a lifeline by Tampa Bay. Bryan, 28, will be one of four Australian punters in the NFL this season, joining Ben Graham (Arizona Cardinals), Sav Rocca (Philadelphia Eagles) and Mat McBriar (Dallas Cowboys).

EDITION 59, November 2010

MVP AFL Players’ Association

Awards night

2010

ollingwood midfielder Dane Swan has become just the second Magpies player to win the prestigious Leigh Matthews Trophy after being overwhelmingly voted by his peers as the AFL Players’ Association Most Valuable Player for 2010. Over 600 players and invited guests attended the Crown Palladium event, hosted by 1992 AFLPA MVP Jason Dunstall, and witnessed Leigh Matthews present Dane Swan with the prestigious trophy. Swan won the popular vote by a country mile – at the end of counting he was 369 votes ahead of his nearest competitor, Luke Hodge. The event remains the only player-voted awards in the AFL industry. Players decide who amongst their peers deserve the titles of Most Valuable Player, Most Courageous Player, Best First Year Player and Best Captain for the 2010 season. In recent years Gary Ablett Jnr has dominated the awards, winning the past three titles. However as Dane Swan was announced as the 2010 Herald Sun Player of the Year for the second year running it quickly become apparent that the 2010 AFLPA MVP Awards would be his night. Swan finished with 978 votes ahead of Luke Hodge in second (609 votes), Gary Ablett (562), Aaron Sandilands (283) and Joel Selwood (166) to complete the top five. Luke Hodge won the Most Courageous Player Award, finishing with 200 votes ahead of Joel Selwood (173) in second and Lenny Hayes (125) in third. Jonathon Brown presented the award and introduced Hodge as his favourite player to watch which further reiterated the respect players have for the Hawthorn star’s fierce attack on the contest. In one of the stories of the night, the Best First Year Award was won by Fremantle rookie Michael Barlow. Like Swan, he was an extremely popular winner, polling 442 votes to beat Dustin Martin (129) and Tom Scully (49). Barlow was ineligible for the 2010 NAB Rising Star award due to his age, so gaining the recognition from his peers on MVP night was a great reward for his impressive debut season. Sydney warrior Brett Kirk was voted the Best Captain by his peers in his final year of AFL football, which is testament to the respect he has gained throughout his career. The Education and Training Excellence award was won by the Bulldog’s Tim Callan. Within the past 12 months Tim’s major achievements included completing a Masters of Applied Finance, completion of Certificates 3 & 4 in Fitness and gaining employment as an equity analyst with investment firm Goldman Sachs.

COMMU NI T Y D E V E L O P M E N T

Leigh Matthews Trophy for Most Valuable Player

ongratulations to Dane Swan on winning the Leigh Matthews Trophy after his peers voted him the 2010 Most Valuable Player. Receiving votes on a 3-2-1 voting system, Swan received the accolade with 978 votes ahead of Luke Hodge in second (609 votes), Gary Ablett third (562), Aaron Sandilands fourth (283) and Joel Selwood (166) to complete the top five. Swan accepted the award at the gala dinner held at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium held on the 6th of September, in front of 600 players and invited guests. Swan becomes the first Collingwood player to win the MVP Award since Darren Millane in 1990 and was also presented with the Herald Sun Player of the Year Award for the second consecutive year. Statistically, Swan has had an incredible season, playing all 22 matches at an average of 31.9 disposals a game. Swan’s 34 disposal effort against Hawthorn in Round 22 made him the first player in AFL history to have 30 touches or more in 11 straight games.

2010 Leigh Matthews Trophy for Most Valuable Player – Top 10 Dane Swan (978 votes) Luke Hodge (609 votes) Gary Ablett (562 votes) Aaron Sandilands (283 votes) Joel Selwood (166 votes) Lenny Hayes (143 votes) Brendon Goddard (136 votes) Alan Didak (121 votes) Chris Judd (115 votes) Paul Chapman (107 votes)

M V P AWA RDS 2010

Best First Year Player

Best Captain

Most Courageous Player

rett Kirk was voted the 2010 Best Captain in his final year of AFL football. Kirk has long been recognised as one of the game’s most popular players, and is often cited as one of the key figures behind the resurgence of the Swans over the past decade. This award showed the level of respect that he has gained amongst his peers as a player but also highlights the incredibly high standards of leadership he demonstrated right up until the very end of his career. Renowned for his courage, commitment and fierce attack on the football, the Sydney Swans skipper also came runner up in the 2009 Most Courageous Player Awards. Kirk polled (142 votes) to finish ahead of 2009 winner Jonathan Brown, Chris Judd and Matthew Pavlich. Kirk, who was unable to attend the ceremony, delivered a humble yet passionate speech via a pre-recorded video from Sydney.

Presented by Drake International, the Best Captain Award was won by Jonathon Brown in 2009.

2010 Most Courageous Player

n what some consider to be the fairytale story of this Year’s MVP, Fremantle’s Michael Barlow became the oldest rookie to win the prestigious Best First Year Player award after taking out the honour at the AFLPA MVP Awards by over 300 votes. In 2009 Barlow won the Fothergill-Round Medal - awarded to the best young player in the VFL - while playing for Werribee. He was then drafted by Fremantle Football Club with their first selection in the 2010 Rookie Draft. Promoted to Fremantle’s senior list as a nominated rookie, Barlow kicked two goals and had 33 possessions in an exceptional debut. His impressive season continued, winning the Ross Glendening Medal as the best on ground in his first local derby. He was having a dream first season, and even being touted as a possible Brownlow Medallist, when he suffered a broken leg in a sickening collision with teammate Rhys Palmer against Port Adelaide. Michael was ineligible for the 2010 NAB Rising Star Award due to his age (22). However, when it came to the MVPs, his peers rewarded him with a massive 442 votes to win the Best First Year Player Award. The Best Year Player Award was presented by Fox Sports and has previously been won by players such as Daniel Rich, Adam Goodes, Chris Judd and Joel Selwood.

ough-as-nails Hawthorn midfielder Luke Hodge was named the AFL’s Most Courageous Player for 2010. With past winners including Glenn Archer, Brett Kirk, Michael Voss and Paul Kelly (who took home the award a record 5 times), the Most Courageous Player Award is one of the night’s most coveted. This fact was underlined when another previous winner, Brisbane toughman Jonathon Brown, introduced Luke Hodge as his favourite player to watch in the AFL. Hodge had an an amazing 2010 season and also finished runner-up in the 2010 AFL Players’ Association Most Valuable Player Award. The Most Courageous Player award was sponsored by AMP.

Luke Hodge (200 votes) Joel Selwood (173 votes) Lenny Hayes (125 votes)

2010 Best Captain Brett Kirk (142 votes) Jonathon Brown (75 votes) Chris Judd (73 votes)

2010 Best first year player Michael Barlow (442 votes) Dustin Martin (129 votes) Tom Scully (49 votes)

Education & Training Excellence Award

Herald Sun Player of the Year Award

estern Bulldog Tim Callan won the Education and Training Excellence award for 2010. Tim has combined AFL football with his passion for education throughout his career and has completed a variety of courses in a wide range of fields. Within the past 12 months Tim’s major achievements include completing a Masters of Applied Finance, completion of Certificates 3 & 4 in Fitness and gaining employment as an equity analyst with investment firm, Goldman Sachs. This award was presented by Open Universities Australia (OUA) and has previously been awarded to Peter Bell, James Clement, Brett Burton and Max Hudghton.

n a night that belonged to Dane Swan, the Collingwood champion also collected the Herald Sun Player of the Year Award for the second consecutive year. This award is voted by the Herald Sun’s journalists throughout the 2010 season. Swan polled 60 votes to lead the field ahead of Gary Ablett (53), teammate Scott Pendlebury (46), Luke Hodge (45) and Joel Selwood on (43) making up the top 5. Swan was humble in victory. He said that while he was honoured to be recognised, his focus remained the goal of being part of a Collingwood Premiership side.

Grant Hattam Award for Excellence in Football Journalism

cott Gullan of the Herald Sun was the winner of the Grant Hattam award for excellence in football journalism for his exclusive article on Matthew Stokes. The judges said the article provided a unique player insight and gave Matthew the opportunity to tell his side of the story. In accepting the award, Gullan thanked Stokes for giving him the opportunity to depict the events surrounding his arrest from the player’s point of view. This award was sponsor by Kelly Hazell Quill and was won by Emma Quayle in 2009.

Retir e m e nt

Re tir e m e n t

Absent While many contemplate yet another pre-season of toil, the curtain has drawn on some revered AFL careers, Writes James Weston.

rett Kirk made his decision in the bath, a Eureka moment dawning on the Swans captain late in season 2010. Conversely, Brad Johnson felt the decision stalking him all year, starting way back in December as his Achilles heel refused to stop aching. For Steven King, the promise of one more unlikely premiership run gently faded as the season unfolded. Like Kirk and Johnson, Ben Cousins felt that one final season was within reach, but physically unlikely. Unable to overcome mid-season injuries, Warren Tredrea accepted his fate with the class that typified his career. And James McDonald had the decision made for him. The “R” word – retirement – pays its inevitable visit in a number of ways, but always with the same result: it’s over. Seven current or former AFL captains have announced their retirement from the game, headlining a remarkable if not unprecedented off-season list of departures. They take with them 1896 senior games of football and countless All-Australian honours. Johnson (364 games) and Tredrea (255) leave their clubs as alltime games record holders, benchmarks that will not be threatened for some time … With the demands of the modern game seemingly cutting careers shorter, Johnson’s record may never be broken. The Bulldogs captain will welcome the opportunity to spend more time with his wife, Donna, and two children, but it is his football family he will miss the most. “I’ve always hated the off-season anyway because I love doing things in a group environment,” he said. “I love the friendships, which don’t disappear but obviously you are not part of the group anymore.” Cousins also touched on tearing himself away from a club environment. “The things I’ll miss the most about playing … is game day,” he said. “Rocking up in anticipation of the contest and I guess running out that race and looking over my shoulder and walking taller because of the bloke standing next to me.”

friends Therein lies the common theme of retirement: while many in the community change jobs or occupations, it’s rare to confront such a dramatic change of direction in your early 30s (or, in the case of early retirees such as Sean Rusling, Graham Polak and Trent Croad, much younger.) “There’s almost a separation anxiety that a lot of players don’t deal with very well,” says player manager Ricky Nixon. “If they’re smart, they’ll use the resources around them to get on with their life and embrace their opportunities without looking back and regretting anything.”

“You really want to leave a legacy when you leave a football club” As Nixon points out, the AFL environment is unforgiving. Johnson’s manager throughout the veteran’s 17 season career, Nixon believes one of the greatest things a player can achieve – aside from premierships and individual awards – is the right to time your departure on your own terms. “The reality is that others usually make the decision for you,” he says. “Either that or injuries just don’t let you do what you once could. When that happens, the clock is ticking.” Such was the fate of players such as Croad, Rusling and Des Headland. Multiple surgeries have haunted that group, denying them the chance to achieve many of their football goals. Of the respected list of former captains, McDonald was the only one who genuinely felt he had another season in him; tellingly, his coach, Dean Bailey, believed otherwise.

“I probably thought I could have played another year but at the end of the day football clubs are all about winning premierships,” McDonald said, while conceding he knew the “clock was on” when it took him six weeks to recover from a hamstring that might once have needed three or four from which to recover. Bailey simply reiterated the lack of sentiment that ultimately drives the game. “To get to where we want to go these types of decisions are made,” the coach said. Johnson put is most simply: “It doesn’t matter how professional or diligent you are, the game catches up with you.” Apply that thought to the careers of Shane O’Bree, for example, or Nathan Eagleton, Dean Solomon and Paul Hasleby, other retirees who will leave the game with outstanding records. Cubs move on without them, of course, but it is worth pausing to note their durability and commitment in careers that spanned more than a decade. Indeed, perhaps the assessment of Tredrea delivered by his former teammate (and new Port Power coach) Matthew Primus is the ultimate compliment a departing player could hope for. “You really want to leave a legacy when you leave a football club,” Primus said. “Not only has Warren left a legacy for our staff and members and sponsors as our best player, and he won so many games, the legacy he’s left for our players is how to be professional.”

The AFL’s departing players will be honoured as part of the 2010 Madden Medal Lunch, presented by GNC LiveWell, to be held on Friday, 3 December.

EDITION 59, OCTOBER 2010

Retir e m e nt

Re tir e m e n t

In praise of Captain Kirk

AS THE CROWS FLY Jude Bolton

consider myself extremely privileged to see first-hand the career of Brett Kirk, in particular his leadership style. Kirky had already been on the Swans’ supplementary list, completed a diploma of education and been delisted when I met him at the 1998 AFL draft camp. We were all scrawny hopefuls but he was the mature-age kid doing the beep test in typical Kirk style - up on his toes. He was an elite runner and I guess it was timely just the other day at the Swans that we trained in our old local club guernseys, as it was that same woollen North Albury Hoppers jumper that he was bouncing around in during that camp. To me, there is no better story of persistence. Not blessed with the physical attributes of his opponents, over the years he has been able to overcome this divide with an abundance of determination and intestinal fortitude. He gets it from his dad, Noel, who became a talented country sportsman despite losing his hand at an early age. Witnessing that resoluteness and ability to overcome adversity has held him in good stead. Having played alongside Kirky at almost every stoppage for the best part of 11 seasons, I have seen his leadership flourish. He has taken the ‘’lead by example’’ style of a Paul Kelly and the ‘’brutally honest’’ approach of Stuart Maxfield and combined the best of both to make him the complete leader. Lead by example can be a term bandied about in football, but his consistency of performance and effort over his career is phenomenal. He has finished in the top two in our best and fairest continually through one of the club’s most successful periods. On the flipside, if a game review ever highlights Kirky for an undisciplined act or poor effort, he gives a commitment that you won’t see a similar instance again. It is his word and you know he will deliver on it. He is the vocal, passionate leader on the field, roaring inside our huddles and getting the charges ready for battle. I recall the 2005 preliminary final at the MCG, the Saints were up and going, but Kirky summoned every bit of William Wallace to ignite the boys in the final term. There is no better indication that Kirk plays solely for his teammates than when a player is in a milestone game. When Michael O’Loughlin broke our club games record, Kirky demanded from each of us at every opportunity that we ‘’do it for Mago’’.

Off the field, you could say he is even more complete. He questions the process, reviewing the way we approach situations, butting heads with coach Paul Roos or the other leaders when required, purely to make the club a better place. It is his ability to empathise and connect with teammates that makes him such a powerful leader. You can see him on any training day, sitting next to one of the younger players, having a laugh and a chat, always building relationships and instilling confidence in others. They’re the things that I believe will see him advance to coaching if he chooses. He is a devoted family man who has a great sense of balance in his life with his wife Hayley and their four kids. One story about Kirky that always makes me laugh is when Hayley found out she was pregnant again but had signed up to run a marathon in Canberra on the same weekend we played. Kirky flew down the morning after the game to drive them all home. After her race, he loaded up the family and began the drive to Sydney. Kirky pulled over early on the highway to hand the driving duties over to his wife because he was tired from the game. She is truly an incredible woman. In his press conference to announce his retirement, Kirky spoke of not knowing what the future held in terms of work, but said he wanted to help others. This seems fitting, as he takes great pride in his work with children with cancer through Redkite or his regular visits to the Starlight room at the Children’s Hospital. He has been such an influence on all our players, making sure they realise just how lucky we are to do what we do. At my wedding a few months ago, two of my friends from Melbourne who hadn’t met Kirky before had a good chat to him. I noticed from across the room how mesmerised they were. Later they told me they were getting chills talking about footy with him. That’s Kirky though - when he talks to you, he engages you. His intensity on the field is matched by his zest for life and the strength of his relationships. The club will be a different place next year, but until then, as always, I can think of no other person than Brett Kirk that I would rather be in the trenches with each weekend. Jude Bolton is Sydney’s delegate to the AFL Players’ Association. This article was first published in The Age.

Michelangelo Rucci

“T

he new era has arrived,” declared Simon Goodwin as he watched the new-age Crows emerge from the bright afterglow of the golden era at the Adelaide Football Club. Goodwin leaves after 275 games – dating back to Adelaide’s first premiership season in 1997 – as, by coach Neil Craig’s verdict, as the Crows’ greatest captain. Andrew McLeod departs after a club record 340 games. He was one of the biggest of big name players as evidenced by his Norm Smith Medals as best-afield in the 1997 and ’98 grand finals and the Michael Tuck Medal as the best player in the 2003 AFL pre-season Cup final. Brett Burton grounded himself after 177 games – sparing every defender from having their heads used anymore as platforms for seemingly endless contenders for “mark of the year”. And, as every AFL player knows, he gave an assertive and measured voice in feedback to his coaches at Adelaide and to the AFL as AFL Players’ Association President. Trent Hentschel ended his cursed campaign to fulfill his extraordinary potential at just 71 AFL games in nine years – and with everyone at Adelaide admiring his ability to return from a horrific right-knee injury in 2006 to play the comeback game against Collingwood in the 2009 season-opener. And there was the mid-season farewell of Tyson Edwards after 321 games all of them measured by extraordinary consistency in an AFL career dating back to 1995. Critically, Adelaide will be poorer without these five heroes at West Lakes. But the club is better off for their presence in establishing what Goodwin defines as a “strong culture”. Along with Brownlow Medallist Mark Ricciuto – who, as Sydney coach Paul Roos once noted, was part of the planets aligning to bless Adelaide – the Fab Four of Roo (Ricciuto), Goody (Goodwin), Macca or Bunji (McLeod) and Zooma (Edwards) gave the Crows their much needed “heart and soul”. “I’m certainly very proud,” says Goodwin, “of the culture we’ve created.”

The admiration all these five lauded Crows have generated from within their football club is highlighted by the way their team-mates felt compelled to honour them in their farewell games. When Edwards signed off mid-season, the Crows produced, for the first time in a frustrating season, their first four-quarter performance in beating Fremantle at AAMI Stadium. In the season-closer against St Kilda, Goodwin, McLeod, Burton and Hentschel – all forced to parade rather than play because of leg injuries – were farewelled with the club song belting out in victory. “It is going to be a successful new era,” says Goodwin of the new players who are to carry on his work while he starts his new chapter in football as an assistant coach. “Without putting too much expectation on the club or the team, I think we have unearthed a heap of young players over the past two years who will lead this club forward for the next decade. “Whether that is premierships, I am not too sure. I’d like to think so.” These new Crows have big shoes to fill.

EDITION 59, november 2010

COMM U NIT Y D E V E L O P MENT

COMM U NITY DE V E L O P MENT

ust six years after beginning his NFL career as a 31 year old rookie with the New York Jets, former AFL star Ben Graham, has not only established himself as one of the game’s best punters but is now also eligible for a lifetime of post-career benefits. Graham is now in his fourth credited NFL season, which means he is now a “vested” player. This gives him access to a range of benefits including Annuity, Second Careers Saving Plan, Severance, Pension, Retirement Plan and a Health Reimbursement Account.

Global

Benefits

The United States isn’t just famous for apple pie and Hollywood. It’s also renowned as the home of some of the world’s best player benefits schemes. Former AFL Players’ Association President and Richmond champion Joel Bowden has just returned from a trip to investigate these programs. He spoke to Heath Evans.

In fact, if he was to retire today, Ben Graham would be in line for: • An Annuity Plan valued at $65,000 a year, available five years after his last credited season • Second Careers Saving Plan of up to $150,000 • A Pension plan of at least $1,275 a month from the NFL Players Association pension fund starting on his 55th birthday. • A Health Reimbursement Account which puts aside $25,000 for each Credited Season played, to a maximum of $300,000. This money can be used to pay medical expenses after his post-career medical insurance expires, which is usually about five years after retirement. • Severance Pay Plan As a player with more than two credited NFL seasons he also receives $12,500 for every year he played. Former AFL Players’ Association President Joel Bowden recently travelled to the United States to investigate benefits schemes in the NFL and other sports. There he met with the NFL Players’ Association, Major League Baseball Players’ Association and PGA Tour representatives. For him, the example of Ben Graham shows that in some respects US sport is way ahead of Australian codes when it comes to player welfare. “In the US, there is an accepted culture of diverting revenues into benefits plans for the welfare of players,” says Bowden. “Ben will now have access to the kinds of benefits he could only dream of as an AFL player.” His 10-day trip took in Jacksonville, New York, Washington DC and Baltimore. In the United States, all major player associations offer extensive pension programs to their members with monthly benefits designed to bridge the gap between retirement and superannuation. Bowden said the schemes were established – in some cases a number of decades ago – in response to financial hardships experienced by players after they retire. They also acknowledge the fact that a sporting career is unique in that it is short but can deliver great value to a player’s chosen code. “Players put a lot in, but unlike most other jobs, they can’t rely on their on-field feats delivering them a lifetime of financial support,” says Bowden.

“In the States, there is a mentality that that once you are an NFL player, you are always an NFL player and their sport should support them every step of the way, which includes into their retirement.” Bowden said there are obvious parallels with AFL. “The average AFL player’s career lasts for around 6 years and the reality is with fewer players getting to the age of 30 in their careers, there is a huge gap between their retirement and when they can access their superannuation,” Bowden says. The NFL annuity program, implemented by the NFLPA in 1998, is designed to provide post–career income for players as early as age 35 or five years out of the game and helps provide the building blocks for financial security for veteran NFL players. A player’s eligibility is measured by the number of ‘credited’ seasons they have completed, rather than their total salary, and a player earns a credited season for being an active player for three or more games (regular season or post season games) during a season. In 2007, NFL clubs put aside $73 million for player annuities and after completing four credited seasons a player becomes eligible and can expect $65,000 a year until the age of 65.

“Ben will now have access to the kinds of benefits he could only dream of as an AFL player.” The NFLPA annuity program now has over $340 million in assets. The other major benefit that Bowden investigated was the Second Career Savings Plan. In 1993, The NFL Players’ Association negotiated the plan which is available to players with two credited NFL seasons. This plan is designed to help players save for their retirement by offering a plan which players can invest their money into which is highly tax-effective. For every $1 a player invests into this plan their club will double this by contributing $2 to the plan on their behalf. There is a maximum club contribution of $20,000 per year and a maximum player contribution of $10,000 per year. The funds become accessible at age 45 or later as needed. “This is a great way to encourage players to invest their money wisely and prepare for their future because it’s a long-time between finishing your AFL career and getting your super.” Bowden says he’s hopeful that his learnings will lead to a greater understanding of what the future could hold for his former colleagues. “In the States, it’s just a given that your sport will recognise your effort and determination, after you retire with some type of pension plan. It will be great when this is the case here in the AFL.” EDITION 59, November 2010

PASTPLAYERS

F INA N C E

Life After Football – Are you Prepared?

Player Payments in 1914: Dave McNamara Speaks Out

A lot has changed in the football world since Essendon and St Kilda champion Dave McNamara pulled on his boots at the start of the last Century. One of the constants though has been discussion around player rewards and representation. Historian Braham Dabscheck looks back on a footballer whose ideas are still relevant today.

ave McNamara (1887-1968) was a leading player in the Victorian Football League and the Victorian Football Association in the period 1905 to 1923. He played with St. Kilda and Essendon Town. In 1913 he sat out of football in a clearance wrangle between the League and Association before moving back to St.Kilda. He may have been the difference in St. Kilda’s Grand Final loss to Fitzroy. He played 122 games with the Saints and kicked 187 goals. He became the first player to kick 100 goals in a season with Essendon Town. In one match he kicked 18 goals from centre half forward! McNamara was 6 foot 4 inches, played mainly as a forward and was renowned for his kicking ability. He was a left footed place kick specialist who on at least two occasions kicked the ball more than 90 yards. He has been inducted into the Halls of Fame of both St. Kilda and the AFL. What is less well known is that in 1913, McNamara, together with other players, such as Jock McHale (Collingwood), Jim Smith (St. Kilda) and Jack Wells (Carlton), became one of the first players to attempt to establish a players’ union, called the Players’ Council, to protect players and act in the best interests of the game. In 1914, McNamara also published a book simply entitled Football. Unfortunately, it does not provide any information on this abortive attempt to form a players’ union. While he provides an account of the growth and development of the game, its rules and

observations concerning contemporary stars, his major concern is to debunk myths about gambling and payments to players. Open payments to players were allowed under ‘legislation’ developed by the League in 1911. His comments on player payments are most interesting. ‘Football’, he says, ‘has proved very attractive and exciting to watch – more so, in fact, than any other game. Charges for admission to the matches have been made, and as easily exacted’. He

then asks, ‘Where is this money to go?’ For him, the answer was obvious. ‘It must follow that the major portion of it will go to the men who produce the pleasure and excitement for the subscribing public. The money is well earned, therefore well deserved.’ Expanding on this theme, he said, ‘who will deny that splendid value that is returned for the modest charge extracted? If the major portion of it did not go to the players, I venture to say that a clever financier would be hard put to find the correct channel for the money so earned’. McNamara added, ‘Money does not usually go begging, nor is it often given away. The upkeep of the clubs is small compared to the receipts, and if the difference is given to men who are prepared to accept a fair thing for services rendered, then it is right, and the men are not a bit the worse for it’. AFL players currently receive a 21 per cent share, that is payments and various welfare benefits, of the revenue they generate. This is far less than the ‘major portion’ Dave McNamara envisaged, almost a century ago, they should receive for the ‘pleasure and excitement’ they provided for the public. Braham Dabscheck is a Senior Fellow, Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne. He is also an independent member of the AFLPA Agents Accreditation Board.

success YOUR POST-FOOTBALL LIFE will require THE SAME commitment and focus you demonstrated throughout your playing career, writes former Docker and now financial expert Brad Wira.

ne thing most highly successful people have in common is their ability to identify personal and professional goals, and action plans to achieve these goals. The financial side of a successful AFL career is no different – it requires long-term planning and preparation. Ensuring you are adequately prepared financially when leaving the AFL system is not an overnight arrangement where you exit the system on the Friday and transition straight into life after football on the following Monday. It is a progressive transition that some players work towards from their very first year in the job. Playing AFL football and earning an AFL footballer’s income provides players with access to both a lifestyle and investments that are sometimes thought to be more common for a person in the latter part of their working career. This is a fantastic opportunity for players. But they need to be aware that when their career finishes, it’s important to take stock of what they need to change about their lifestyle and also their investments. The AFL Players’ Association, through myself and other former players-turned-financialeducators Mark Porter and Matthew Burton, offers members, who have been in the system for at least three years, a Financial Health Check (FHC) that looks ahead to the first 18 months to 2 years of post football employment. The FHC is designed to assist players with their financial transition from the AFL to the post-AFL working environment and help identify the areas of their life which will change from a financial perspective. It provides an income timeline and financial plan for not only the current financial year but also the following period offering some structure and peace of mind to the player and his family.

Traditionally the transition period is a time of considerable change, taking place over the busy (and expensive) Christmas and New Year festivities. Issues such as reduced cash-flow, expense management and new employment opportunities will all need to be addressed. As a player is generally going into a period of uncertainty, where their work and football life may be undecided, the FHC will take the player through a Cashflow Strategy so any potential financial issues can be identified. The Strategy will take into account a player’s earnings from their football club, possible new professional employment income as well as any proposed lower level football earnings. The following financial year’s financial plan will be built around money flowing from the member’s Player Retirement Account (PRA). Information such as: How much players are entitled to; when they will receive it; and the tax consequences associated with payment are just part of the information players will receive during their FHC. The Check will address the following financial questions: • Player Retirement Account (PRA) – How much will I receive & how much tax will I pay? • Budgeting – How much will I be earning in life after football? • Debt Management – How much do I need to service my current debts? • Super – What happens now as well as assisting in provision of fund details to your new employer? • Insurance – What do I currently have & is it enough?

To discuss and organize a time to catch up and conduct this very valuable service please contact Matthew Burton, Mark Porter or myself depending where you live. Victoria, New South Wales & Queensland Matthew Burton / Mark Porter W 03 9621 1800 E matthew.burton@genesyswealth.com.au E mark.porter@genesyswealth.com.au

Western & South Australia Brad Wira W 08 9481 5222 E brad.wira@sfg.com.au Brad Wira in action during his time at Frematle.

EDITION 59, november 2010

Open U ni v e r s i t i es

L A DDE R

Opening up players to new horizons

Maddison’s Story The AFL Players’ Association helped establish Ladder to tackle youth homelessness by providing a pathway to independent living for homeless young people.

New partnership announced between AFL players and OPEN UNIVERSITIES AUSTRALIA

n August, the AFL Players’ Association and Open Universities Australia (OUA) announced a major sponsorship agreement which will see OUA support continuing education for current and past AFL players and their support teams. The announcement came as the Association released new figures showing that AFL players are taking up university and other further education study in record numbers. St Kilda champion Nick Dal Santo has been appointed ambassador for the partnership. He joined football legend David Parkin, OUA General Manager Cratis Hippocrates and AFL Players’ Association CEO Matt Finnis to launch the sponsorship at the MCG. Open Universities Australia is the national leader in online education. It provides access to over 1000 units and 90 qualifications taught by 18 leading universities and other tertiary education providers around the country. Under the three-year sponsorship agreement, OUA will: • Support a mentoring program for players taking up study for the first time or recently returning to study. • Provide five ‘Learning for Life Scholarships’ annually for players retired longer than three years. • Provide benefits to Association members including: priority enrolment, textbook vouchers, free online tutoring and shortened study time for those with a Diploma of Management. • Become naming rights sponsor for the AFL Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) and the Player Development Award under the Madden Medal. At the announcement, Dal Santo said he was excited about taking on the OUA education ambassador role, which would involve spreading the word to his fellow players about the benefits of online study.

“For me, studying through OUA has been fantastic because it gives me the flexibility to study around training, travelling and playing commitments,” he said. “If you need to take time out to study during an intense period in footy, you can – with the freedom to resume when it works for you. And the qualifications are well recognised. When you complete a degree through OUA, you graduate from the university offering the course.” The partnership follows a just-published study by the Australian Sports Commission and Australian Institute of Sport that shows education and off-field interests can assist playing performance and career duration. The study of 143 elite athletes found that 72 per cent of those surveyed thought that their sporting performance had benefited from them undertaking education or employment during their sporting careers. More than 90 per cent believed these nonsporting activities helped to extend the length of their on-field careers. Dal Santo echoed the findings saying; “As someone who is completing a Bachelor of Commerce in Sports Administration through Open Universities Australia, I can vouch for the fact that off-field study can help you achieve on-field success.” Former Carlton and Hawthorn legend David Parkin, who is currently completing a similar study of current AFL players, said that there was a real need for AFL players to develop themselves personally in nonfootball activities. “This assists them in their day-to-day activities during their playing days and ensures life after football has meaning, fulfilment and an income stream for the remainder of their lives.” Mr Hippocrates said OUA is delighted to partner with the AFL Players’ Association to support world-class education and training opportunities for AFL players and their support teams.

Statistics show that on any given night 105,000 Australians are homeless. Even more alarming is that almost one in four homeless people is under 18. It’s a reality that affects people like Ladder client Maddison, who had the courage to tell her story at a Ladder fundraising event in August. This is an edited transcript of her speech.

Matt Finnis, David Parkin, Nick Del Santo and Cratis Hippocrates at a photoshoot for the launch of the OUA and AFL Players’ Association sponsorship

y name is Maddison, I am 19. I have a very positive outlook on life now. But I had a tough family background with no stability and family violence. I am originally from Preston. I lived with my mother, brother and uncle. I got kicked out of home when I was 16. My mother told me on my birthday. I thought she was joking. It took moving vans out the front for me to realize she wasn’t joking. When I got kicked out, I went straight to the city and hung around other kids at Flinders Street. But that wasn’t a good move for me. I spent a year sitting on the Flinders Street Station steps, sleeping on the streets and not taking care of myself. I didn’t realize the gravity of my situation. I didn’t think I needed help. I’ll always regret not getting housing straight away. After living in 18 different places I moved into a refuge. The refuge was infested with rats and mice. It felt like prison, but with less food. I was not able to sleep, because I was seeing rats and mice every night. I saw rats in the kitchen so I stopped eating the food. I eventually got really sick ended up in hospital. When I got out, there was this guy asking for money. I asked him “how long have you been homeless”. He said “it never ends, you work, you get a place, but then something always goes wrong”. The very next day I moved into a hostel in Fairfield. I didn’t like what the old man said. I didn’t want to be him in 20 years, so I started setting goals. I also realized I needed to stop moving around everywhere. I wanted to go and get something better for myself. That’s when my case manager at the hostel told me about Ladder. So I applied for the program. When I got called for an interview I was so nervous. It was a hard time because I still felt like there must have been someone who needed it more than

To learn more about how together we can help people like Maddison realise that having a safe place to live and one day succeeding on your own can be more than just a dream contact 03 9416 0064 or info@ladder.org.au

me. What got me through was my boyfriend, Michael, my sense of humor and sheer luck. Then Ladder rang me and offered me a place I couldn’t say yes quickly enough. At Ladder Hoddle Street there’s 21 self contained apartments with a common room. The program is a series of different sessions where we develop life skills to help us to work towards living independently. Sometimes mentors are present. We also have a weekly case meeting with our case mangers where we discuss issues we might have and set goals. The program has helped me through hospitality training. It has also provided me with stability. Stability is something I never really had in my life. It has provided me stable accommodation for 2 years and a Case Manager who will support me throughout my time there. I know that Ladder will ensure I have safe, stable housing after I leave the program. The program has helped me to achieve things I didn’t think were possible. So I’d like to draw some comparisons between now and then. Back then I was severely depressed, but now I’m not nearly as depressed. Back then I was pretty selfish person, and now I have a sense of caring for others, which I never used to have. Back then I was a kid, but now I’m an adult. Back then I didn’t care about rules, since moving to Ladder I have respect for rules. Ladder has provided me with a space to dream and the confidence to achieve my dreams. In the future after my 2 years at Ladder, I hope to move into long term housing. My dream house has a fridge and a cat. This was my dream when I was homeless. I never really thought of this until I moved into Ladder - but I really want to own my own business one day. Its going to be a bar, or a restaurant and hopefully my kids and grand kids can work there too. I wanted to tell you my story because not many people that haven’t been there understand what its like to be homeless. The worst feeling you can get when your homeless is wanting to go home. You feel like you are lost. You can be clean, get straight A’s at school, be funning, be nice. You can be anything and anyone and still be homeless. EDITION 59, november 2010

COMM U NIT Y D E V E L O P MENT

“For me, studying through Open Universities Australia has been fantastic. It gives me the flexibility to study around training, travelling and playing commitments. If you need to take time out during an intense period in footy, you can – with the freedom to resume when it works for you.” Nick Dal Santo, OUA Education Ambassador

You don’t have to change your life to get a university qualification. DJ6 XdciVXi WadX`/ HiVcYVgY EVgicZg ad\d

Open Universities Australia brings 18 leading Australian universities and other higher education providers to you. Study what you want, when you want and still spend time on the things you enjoy most.

Call one of our Enrolment Advisors on

Find out more at

1300 513 044

www.open.edu.au/aflpa

Quote the AFLPA Client Code

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