I’ve been a lifelong supporter of Australian Rules Football. I love this game, but I’m increasingly frustrated by the direction the AFL is taking under Andrew Dillon.

This isn’t about one bad decision or one controversial game. It’s about a growing pattern of decisions that, in my view, are taking the game further away from what supporters love about it.

We’re seeing:

• Constant changes to rules and confusing interpretations
• Growing frustration with umpiring consistency and the. Money invested into their training
• Fixture changes and floating games that make football harder to plan around
  The removal of traditional Saturday free-to-air football
• Increasing gambling and commercial influence around the game
• Continued controversy surrounding the Tribunal inconsistency’s and football’s justice system
• Major decisions being made without enough genuine consultation with supporters
• The hiring of staff that simply aren’t fit to serve, Laura Kane and Greg Swann to name a few. 

The AFL Fans Association’s 2025 survey recorded fan satisfaction of just 2.7/5, with 82% of respondents saying umpiring had deteriorated and 96% wanting supporter consultation before major changes affecting fans.

The AFL can be commercially successful while still losing touch with its supporters and treating us like idiots. .

That’s why I’m asking the AFL Commission to review Andrew Dillon’s performance as CEO and, ultimately, remove him from the position if it determines that new leadership is required.

This isn’t about attacking a person. It’s about asking for better leadership, someone who respects us and a stronger voice for the people who make Australian football what it is — the supporters.

If you feel the AFL has lost its way as I have, sign the petition it’s free. Let’s make sure the fans heard and get rid of this clown.