Each AFL club’s bravest off-field decision of the last 25 years

What has been each AFL club’s bravest off-field decision of the last 25 years?

On SEN Mornings, Julian De Stoop has been running the ‘Club Calibration’ segment which asks various footy questions to see how in sync each fanbase is.

First up was finding out the best win for each of the 18 clubs since the year 2000. Then we had the most traumatic loss.

We also took a look at the best individual player and most underrated player, and the best decision and worst decision made by each club.

Then we had a look at each club’s ‘What If’ moment and ‘What If’ player.

The cult heroes also got a nod, as did the the bravest on-field act.

Next up: the bravest off-field decision of the last 25 years.

The below responses came through most frequently from SEN listeners.

Each AFL club’s bravest on-field act of the last 25 years

Adelaide: Phil Walsh appointing Taylor Walker captain ahead of Patrick Dangerfield and Rory Sloane.

Brisbane: Hiring a 55 year-old untried coach named Chris Fagan at the end of 2016.

Carlton: Sacking star forward Brendon Fevola at the end of 2009.

Collingwood: Appointing an unfashionable 25-year-old defender Nick Maxwell as captain at the end of 2008.

Essendon: Sacking legendary coach Kevin Sheedy in 2007.

Fremantle: Pursuing and ultimately signing Ross Lyon at the end of 2011.

Geelong: Resisting calls for Mark Thompson’s sacking at the end of 2006.

Gold Coast: Chairman John Witheriff declaring at the end of 2012 the Suns would win a flag in the next three seasons.

GWS Giants: Appointing controversial star Toby Greene as solo captain prior to the 2023 season.

Hawthorn: Trading talented swingman Trent Croad to Fremantle in a deal which landed Pick 1 at the end of 2001.

Melbourne: Trading Shane Woewodin to Collingwood just two years after he won the Brownlow Medal.

North Melbourne: Turning their back on a big money move to the Gold Coast in favour of staying in Melbourne.

Port Adelaide: Appointing TV star and businessmen David Koch as president in 2012.

Richmond: Brendon Gale boldly declaring on Footy Classified in 2010 the Tigers were aiming to win three flags and have 75,000 members by 2020.

St Kilda: Sacking legendary coach Malcolm Blight after just 15 games in 2001.

Sydney: Giving Lance Franklin a lucrative nine-year deal at the end of 2013.

West Coast: Appointing Adam Simpson coach at the end of 2013 instead of club great Peter Sumich.

Western Bulldogs: Signing nine-game Giant Tom Boyd to a seven-year, seven-million dollar contract at the end of 2014.