Jump to content

Laura Kane appointed GM of AFL footbal

Brownie
Brownie
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

Posted

I saw this article and started reading it with some sort of hope.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2023/aug/30/laura-kanes-rapid-afl-rise-heralds-changing-times-for-women-in-sport

A woman outside of the boys club appointed as exec GM of football operations reporting directly to Andrew Dillon.

But the more I read, the more it looked like a fluff piece and her main points of focus seem deluded.

She's been in the role since May.

She's got a strong focus on the fans she says. Yet we still have Thursday night finals, a very poor aflw fixture, all finals tickets released at the same time on Ticketek (everyone enjoy stressing out with the spinning circles yesterday?)

If the AFL cared about the fans, they could have staggered the release of tickets with one game per day and scheduled the release outside of work hours. Maybe 7pm each night this week. 

She has direct responsibility for umpiring and the rules of the game.

She seems to have a big focus on technology to fix some of the poor decisions made this year. But tech doesn't fix things in isolation. You need to look at the process of review and the quality of umpiring staff for instance and the consistency with which the rules are applied. Who enjoyed that 50m penalty for our player losing their balance and moving their feet on the mark on the weekend?

Another focus on the women's game being faster with more goal scoring. Well it's already happening as the skills and capabilities increase year by year with the quality of players.

She's only been in the role 3 months and I'm sure driving change in that joint would not be easy.

This article really didn't give me confidence that the things that are busted in our game will be pragmatically addressed.

 

  • Quote
    • Like 2
     

    I won't go thru the various points above, but just mention that not everyone will see the same points as issues nor give them the same importance.

    While 'acting in the role' for a few months her authority starts now.

    Lots has 'been busted' for many a year.  Give her time, 'Brownie'. 

    A good sign is that virtually every club supported her appointment.  She has a very good and relevant experience and track record.  I truly do not think she is a 'token' appointment even if the article might be interpreted as a fluff piece.

    Edited by Lucifers Hero

  • Quote
    • Like 4
    44 minutes ago, Brownie said:

    I saw this article and started reading it with some sort of hope.

    https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2023/aug/30/laura-kanes-rapid-afl-rise-heralds-changing-times-for-women-in-sport

    A woman outside of the boys club appointed as exec GM of football operations reporting directly to Andrew Dillon.

    But the more I read, the more it looked like a fluff piece and her main points of focus seem deluded.

    She's been in the role since May.

    She's got a strong focus on the fans she says. Yet we still have Thursday night finals, a very poor aflw fixture, all finals tickets released at the same time on Ticketek (everyone enjoy stressing out with the spinning circles yesterday?)

    If the AFL cared about the fans, they could have staggered the release of tickets with one game per day and scheduled the release outside of work hours. Maybe 7pm each night this week. 

    She has direct responsibility for umpiring and the rules of the game.

    She seems to have a big focus on technology to fix some of the poor decisions made this year. But tech doesn't fix things in isolation. You need to look at the process of review and the quality of umpiring staff for instance and the consistency with which the rules are applied. Who enjoyed that 50m penalty for our player losing their balance and moving their feet on the mark on the weekend?

    Another focus on the women's game being faster with more goal scoring. Well it's already happening as the skills and capabilities increase year by year with the quality of players.

    She's only been in the role 3 months and I'm sure driving change in that joint would not be easy.

    This article really didn't give me confidence that the things that are busted in our game will be pragmatically addressed.

     

    And when a sell out is likely in a final, give priority in the AFL members to the competing teams’ AFL members.

    Having competing club AFL members miss out, or sit up in the gods, when other clubs afl members have taken the best seats is a disgrace.

    She needs to fix this immediately and most wouldn’t argue.

    Edited by Redleg

  • Quote
    • Like 2
     
    1 hour ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

    Blood hell, sheilas are taking over the world!

    Soon there'll no jobs at all for us blokes.

    A predictable Bbo view !!!

     

    Edited by Lucifers Hero

  • Quote
    • Haha 1
    • Shocked 1

    51 minutes ago, Brownie said:

    I saw this article and started reading it with some sort of hope.

    https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2023/aug/30/laura-kanes-rapid-afl-rise-heralds-changing-times-for-women-in-sport

    A woman outside of the boys club appointed as exec GM of football operations reporting directly to Andrew Dillon.

    But the more I read, the more it looked like a fluff piece and her main points of focus seem deluded.

    She's been in the role since May.

    She's got a strong focus on the fans she says. Yet we still have Thursday night finals, a very poor aflw fixture, all finals tickets released at the same time on Ticketek (everyone enjoy stressing out with the spinning circles yesterday?)

    If the AFL cared about the fans, they could have staggered the release of tickets with one game per day and scheduled the release outside of work hours. Maybe 7pm each night this week. 

    She has direct responsibility for umpiring and the rules of the game.

    She seems to have a big focus on technology to fix some of the poor decisions made this year. But tech doesn't fix things in isolation. You need to look at the process of review and the quality of umpiring staff for instance and the consistency with which the rules are applied. Who enjoyed that 50m penalty for our player losing their balance and moving their feet on the mark on the weekend?

    Another focus on the women's game being faster with more goal scoring. Well it's already happening as the skills and capabilities increase year by year with the quality of players.

    She's only been in the role 3 months and I'm sure driving change in that joint would not be easy.

    This article really didn't give me confidence that the things that are busted in our game will be pragmatically addressed.

     

    I really hope so Brownie. Had high hopes for Kylie Rogers getting deep into the CEO process.

    Give her the time, hopefully they don't bind her hands. 

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    Saw her speak on AFL 360, thought she was very eloquent and spoke well.

    Seemed more down to earth, hopefully that’s a good sign.

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    • Author
    26 minutes ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

    Blood hell, sheilas are taking over the world!

    Soon there'll no jobs at all for us blokes.

    I'd be more worried about the machines Bitter 😜

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    • Haha 1
     
    • Author
    36 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

    I won't go thru the various points above, but just mention that not everyone will see the same points as issues nor give them the same importance.

    While 'acting in the role' for a few months her authority starts now.

    Lots has 'been busted' for many a year.  Give her time, 'Brownie'. 

    A good sign is that virtually every club supported her appointment.  She has a very good and relevant experience and track record.  I truly do not think she is a 'token' appointment even if the article might be interpreted as a fluff piece.

    Yeah I completely agree Lucifer's. 3 months in that joint relieving in the role is not long.

    I really hope she can drive pragmatic change while not turning the game upside down.

    You could argue she's probably got the most important role in our game now. 

    It's great if she's got the support of the clubs in her appointment too 

  • Quote
    • Like 3

    Finally.....we have someone running the show. 

    This position, while temporarily filled by Laura on a part time basis since only May, has been vacant since the departure of Brad Scott nearly 12 months ago. All while she has been doing other tasks.

    It is no surprise that the furore around umpiring, goal reviews, fixturing and biggest of all the CBA ( still not agreed after nearly 2 years) are tasks for the GM of Football.

    A fine mess you have left for the lady Gil.......

    Edited by george_on_the_outer

  • Quote
    • Like 4

    Fingers crossed because normally when a woman is appointed to a top corporate position it is a poisoned chalice with a vast collection of unresolved potentially catastrophic issues ready to boil over... wait... okay.

    At least in this case she isn't being blindsided. I've barely seen anything of her but the little fragments I've dug around since the announcement suggest she is capable and has a bit of relaxed charisma. Could be a very good selection.

    I'm just glad my worst thoughts weren't realised after seeing a headline saying 'Kane appointed...'

  • Quote
    • Haha 1
    • Clap 2

    Congratulations Laura on your appointment.

    Perhaps some tasks :

    I'd be reviewing the 4th umpire.

    I have no idea if it is worth the extra umpire but I'd like a study of some kind done.

    Friday night games to start at 7:20 please.

    Hate 3:20 Sunday but it seems to be fixed in stone.

    And if it's in her remit get WatchAFL into the 21s century (720p for the price is lamentable)

    Edited by Diamond_Jim

  • Quote
    • Love 1

    She’s just another bois club member 

    Legal graduate? Check!

    VAFA background? Check!

    Consultancy background? Check!

    Part of the firmament for years? Check!

    No different to Gil and Dil

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    3 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

     

    And if it's in her remit get WatchAFL into the 21s century (720p for the price is lamentable)

    You got my vote!

  • Quote
    7 hours ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

    Blood hell, sheilas are taking over the world!

    Soon there'll no jobs at all for us blokes.

    “They took our Jobs…”

  • Quote
    • Clap 1

    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
    Reply to this topic...
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • FEATURE: 1925

      A hundred years ago today, on 2 May 1925, Melbourne kicked off the new season with a 47 point victory over St Kilda to take top place on the VFL ladder after the opening round of the new season.  Top place was a relatively unknown position for the team then known as the “Fuchsias.” They had finished last in 1923 and rose by only one place in the following year although the final home and away round heralded a promise of things to come when they surprised the eventual premiers Essendon. That victory set the stage for more improvement and it came rapidly. In this series, I will tell the story of how the 1925 season unfolded for the Melbourne Football Club and how it made the VFL finals for the first time in a decade on the way to the ultimate triumph a year later.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PREVIEW: West Coast

      Saturday’s election night game in Perth between the West Coast Eagles and Melbourne represents 18th vs 15th which makes it a tough decision as to which party to favour. The Eagles have yet to break the ice under their new coach in Andrew McQualter who is the second understudy in a row to confront Demon Coach Simon Goodwin who was also winless until a fortnight ago. On that basis, many punters might be considering to go with the donkey vote but I’ve been assigned with the task of helping readers to come to a considered opinion on this matter of vital importance across the nation. It was almost a year ago that I wrote a preview here of the Demons’ away game against the Eagles (under the name William from Waalitj because it was Indigenous Round).  I issued a warning that it was a danger game, based on my local knowledge that the home team were no longer easybeats and that they possessed a wunderkind generational player in Harley Reid who was capable of producing stellar performances playing among men a decade and more older than he.  At the time, the Eagles already had two wins off the back of a couple of the young man’s masterclasses and they had recently given the Bombers a scare straight after their Anzac Day blockbuster draw against the then reigning premiers.

      • 1 reply
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • NON-MFC: Round 08

      Round 08 of the 2025 AFL Season kicks off on Thursday with a must-win game for the Bombers to stay in touch with the top eight, while the struggling Roos seek a morale-boosting upset. Friday sees the Saints desperate for a win as well if they are to stay in finals contention and their opponents the Dockers will be eager to crack in to the Top 8 with a win on the road. Saturday kicks off with a pivotal clash for both sides asthe Bulldogs look to solidify their top-eight spot, while Port seeks to shake their pretender tag. Then the Crows will be looking to steady their topsy turvy season against a resurgent Blues looking to make it 4 wins on the trot. On Election Night a Blockbuster will see the ladder-leading Pies take on the Cats, who are keen to bounce back after a narrow loss. On Sunday the Sydney Derby promises fireworks as the Giants aim to cement their top-eight status, while the Swans fight to keep their season alive. The Hawks, celebrating their centenary, will be looking to easily account for the Tigers who are desperate to halt their slide. The Round concludes on Sunday Night with a top end of the table QClash with significant ladder implications; both Queensland teams are in scintillating form. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons?

      • 67 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: West Coast

      The Demons hit the road in Round 8, heading to Perth to face the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium. With momentum building, the Dees will be aiming for a third straight victory to keep their season revival on course. Who comes in and who goes out?

        • Haha
        • Like
      • 541 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • REPORT: Richmond

      The fans who turned up to the MCG for Melbourne’s Anzac Day Eve clash against Richmond would have been disappointed if they turned up to see a great spectacle. As much as this was a night for the 71,635 in attendance to commemorate heroes of the nation’s past wars, it was also a time for the Melbourne Football Club to consolidate upon its first win after a horrific start to the 2025 season. On this basis, despite the fact that it was an uninspiring and dour struggle for most of its 100 minutes, the night will be one for the fans to remember. They certainly got value out of the pre match activity honouring those who fought for their country. The MCG and the lights of the city as backdrop was made for nights such as these and, in my view, we received a more inspirational ceremony of Anzac culture than others both here and elsewhere around the country. 

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • CASEY: Richmond

      The match up of teams competing in our great Aussie game at its second highest level is a rarity for a work day Thursday morning but the blustery conditions that met the players at a windswept Casey Fields was something far more commonplace.They turned the opening stanza between the Casey Demons and a somewhat depleted Richmond VFL into a mess of fumbling unforced errors, spilt marks and wasted opportunities for both sides but they did set up a significant win for the home team which is exactly what transpired on this Anzac Day round opener. Casey opened up strong against the breeze with the first goal to Aidan Johnson, the Tigers quickly responded and the game degenerated into a defensive slog and the teams were level when the first siren sounded.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland
    View All