2021 Movers and Shapers: 20-11
By
Following an unprecedented 2020 AFL season, the
AFL Record s senior writer Ash Browne has put together his definitive footy power list.
We will be counting down from 50 to 1 in the lead up to the new season.
Last year: 27
Pearce was an inspiration to so many women (and more men than would dare to admit) when she returned to the playing field in 2020 after giving birth to twins Sylvie and Roy in 2019. Now in her 30s, she’s no longer a dominant midfielder, but remains the smartest player in the competition, which she uses to great effect as a rebounding defender for the Demons. Her deep game awareness comes to the fore weekly on SEN and Channel Seven where she has become a respected match analyst during the men’s competition.
2021 Movers and Shapers: 30-21
By
Following an unprecedented 2020 AFL season, the
AFL Record s senior writer Ash Browne has put together his definitive footy power list.
We will be counting down from 50 to 1 in the lead up to the new season.
Last year: 17
Like so many in the footy media, 2020 presented all sorts of challenges for Whateley, such as initially calling games in an empty stadium and then off the TV from SEN’s Southbank studio. Once AFL 360 resumed, any guest of significance appeared over Zoom and Whateley expertly navigated the show through its more difficult production environment with calm and aplomb. And his morning show on SEN continues to be the media platform of choice for many in footy – including some on this list. Whateley was the deserving winner of the 2020 Alf Brown Award for the best performer in the football media and has won the AFLCA journalist of the year in each of the past six years.
2021 Movers and Shapers: 40-31
By
Following an unprecedented 2020 AFL season, the
AFL Record s senior writer Ash Browne has put together his definitive footy power list.
We will be counting down from 50 to 1 in the lead up to the new season.
Last year: –
The Health Minister has a fair bit on his plate these days such as, you know, making sure we all get vaccinated. But this time last year he was in regular communication with the AFL as it decided whether to start the season on time and what sort of health and safety regulations would be required in order to do so. It was a briefing from Hunt and former chief health officer Brendan Murphy to the AFL Commission the day before that convinced the League it was OK to start the season when it did. Before taking on the health portfolio, the Victorian MP – and big Richmond fan – held the sport portfolio and, along with Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, is considered one of the AFL’s closest allies in Canberra.
2021 Movers and Shapers: 50-41
By
Following an unprecedented 2020 AFL season, the
AFL Record s senior writer Ash Browne has put together his definitive footy power list.
We will be counting down from 50 to 1 in the lead up to the new season.
50. Nicole Livingstone
Last year: –
It was a tough year for everyone in football, but AFLW had it particularly tough, with the 2020 season abruptly brought to an end a fortnight before the Grand Final. One of Gillon McLachlan’s few regrets last year was not to somehow find a way for there to be an AFLW flag decider. But AFLW has responded and is enjoying a great season under Livingstone’s watch despite the massive challenges of a rapidly changing fixture and the move to ticketing. She has also overseen changes to the talent pathways, which now go from Auskick through to AFL level in the same way as the men. AFLW is undeniably a better spectacle now than last year and the seasons that preceded it, to the absolute credit of Livings