Tenure of AFL Presidents

May 4, 2019

This list tracks the tenure of AFL Presidents ahead of the 2017 footy club AGM season.

Eddie McGuire, Collingwood: joined what is now a 7-person board (2 females) as President in 1999. Named by Crikey last year as one of 6 long serving men who should retire, he sought a final three year term at last year's AGM. Weirdly, the Collingwood website profile of McGuire includes the following: "Since 1986, Collingwood has enjoyed relative stability at Board level, with Allan McAlister serving from 1986-1995, Kevin Rose from 1996-1998 and McGuire in the 14 years since, leading the club from a wooden spoon in 1999 to premiership success in 2010."

Eddie has been President for 18 years but the Collingwood website quotes 14 years. The last three have been abysmal with Collingwood finishing 11th, 12th and 12th. Why is he still there?

Rob Chapman, Adelaide Crows: joined the 9-person board (2 females) in December 2006, became chairman in December 2008.

Tony Shepherd, Greater Western Sydney: still leads the 9-person board (2 female) and was the inaugural chairman from February 2010.

Colin Carter, Geelong: Previously served from 1987-93, then rejoined the 8-person board (2 female) in 2008, becoming chairman in 2011.

Richard Garvey, Hawthorn: joined the 8-person board (2 female) in October 2010 and became chairman in February 2016 when he succeeded Andrew Newbold.

Peter Gordon, Western Bulldogs: joined the 8-person board (2 females) in 2002, became chairman in December 2012.

David Koch, Port Power: joined the 10-person board (3 female) when he became chairman in 2012.

Glen Bartlett, Melbourne: joined the 10-person board (2 female) in June 2013 and then pipped former Victorian Treasurer Alan Stockdale for chairman in August 2013.

Bob Sharpless, Brisbane Lions: joined the 9-person board (2 female) as chairman in October 2013.

Peggy O'Neal, Richmond: joined the 9-person board (3 female) in November 2005, became chairman in 2013.

Peter Summers, St Kilda: joined the 9-person board (2 female) in August 1998 became chairman in 2013.

Andrew Pridham, Sydney Swans: joined the 9-person board (2 female) in 2002, became chairman in December 2013.

Mark Logiudice, Carlton: joined the 8-person board (2 female) in February 2010, became chairman in June 2014.

Lindsay Tanner, Essendon: joined the 9-person board (1 female) in December 2015 when he succeeded Paul Little as chairman.

Tony Cochrane, Gold Coast Suns: joined the 9-person board (3 females) in March 2014, 3 years after the club joined the national competition, and succeeded foundation chair John Witheriff in March 2016.

Russell Gibbs, West Coast: joined the 6-person board (1 females) in November 2011 and has been chairman since October 2016, succeeding Alan Cransberg.

Ben Buckley, North Melbourne: joined the 6 person board (1 female) in 2015 and replaced James Brayshaw as President in October 2016.

Dale Alcock, Fremantle: joined the 8-person board (2 female) in 2011 and became President in November 2016.