Calls for Eddie McGuire to take on huge AFL role

Former Gold Coast Chairman Tony Cochrane believes that the AFL could do with some more showmanship in a senior administration role.

Comparing the AFL to the NRL, which is led by colourful ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys, Cochrane thinks the AFL is lacking a little bit of ‘pizzazz’.

He pointed to the NRL’s push into Vegas and Papua New Guinea with rugby league never standing still to find growth, and while the AFL is also trying to spread its wings with Opening Round, Cochrane is of the belief that the season could start off with a bigger bang if the code became more imaginative.

While he’s not suggesting Opening Round should be played overseas, Cochrane says the AFL could do with a bigger personality leading the charge for the game, particularly in helping growth in the northern markets where rugby league reigns supreme.

“I’m a great believer of AFL is an Australian game, so let’s play it in Australia, so I’m not suggesting we play it overseas,” Cochrane told SEN’s Whateley.

“But just using that (Vegas) as an example, the NRL are really outsmarting us at the moment. Perhaps Melbourne gets a bit insulated compared to people in Sydney and Brisbane… but V’Landys, love him or hate him, he’s got some pizzazz and he reminds me a lot of Gil (McLachlan).

“Gil would perhaps be a bit upset if he heard that, but we had a lot of style and showmanship with Gil, and I think sport needs that.

“Sport needs a character of that nature at the top and the NRL has that good balance. Showmanship and a solid CEO.

“I think one thing as a sport, we’ve got two very solid citizens (at the AFL) as the Chairman and the CEO Andrew Dillon. One of those roles needs to be more showman-like. Maybe it’s time to recognise that and see if we can’t bring more showmanship into a senior role.”

Given Dillon has only been in his role since October 2023, Cochrane pondered whether a change could be made at Chairman level with Richard Goyder in his role since 2017.

While Cochrane credits Goyder for doing a great job over the best part of a decade, he thinks a fresh, louder voice like former Collingwood President Eddie McGuire in the role would really ensure the AFL is never standing still and comfortable in their supposed superiority as the nation’s No.1 sport.

“Our Chairman has done a very good job, but he’s been there a very long time. If I was having a quiet word with him (Goyder) I might say, ‘Look perhaps it’s time for a change’,” Cochrane said.

“There are a lot of very good people out there. Eddie McGuire is a wonderful spruiker of our sport. Maybe he wouldn’t be a bad thing to have in the Chair role for the next few years. Change is a good thing.

“That’s how it’s looking (that Goyder will stay on). I haven’t spoken with Richard for some time, it would be unfair for me to comment on what he’s looking for. But I want to see more pizzazz in the AFL because the NRL – look at the $600m deal they did with the government over the team in Papua New Guinea. You have to give them 10/10 for being on the front foot.

“We’re the number one sport but you don’t stay the number one if you don’t agitate and have a crack.”

Listen to Cochrane’s full chat with Gerard Whateley here