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 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 August 29, 20231 yr by Lucifers Hero

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 August 29, 20231 yr by Redleg

Blood hell, sheilas are taking over the world!

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

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 August 29, 20231 yr by Lucifers Hero

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. 

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.

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 😜

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 

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 August 29, 20231 yr by george_on_the_outer

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...'

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 August 30, 20231 yr by Diamond_Jim

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

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!

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…”