It had its moments, but if the 2025 AFL season had been a movie Margaret Pomeranz would have been hard-pressed to give it more than three stars as the number of dead rubbers piled up, teams crumbled due to injury or poor form, and the AFL lost credibility through poor decision-making and internal division.

Despite that, we kept turning up and will do so again in 2026, but that doesn’t mean the AFL shouldn’t enter the year without a long list of new year’s resolutions. We thought we’d help it make a start.

Craig Drummond is poised to replace Richard Goyder as AFL Commission chairman.Credit: Getty Images

Goodbye, departing chairman Richard Goyder. The less said, the better. Incoming boss Craig Drummond – who took a low-profile, corporate approach during his successful reign as Geelong president – must take the commission off the inactive list where it has been since COVID-19.

People love the footy, so a drover’s dog could attract crowds and television viewers. The commission needs to reassert its position as a respected body within the game and use its outsized place in the community to entertain rather than pontificate, influence rather than frustrate, be dynamic rather than lumber about, and remain contemporary rather than confused.

The commission can set a clear course that achieves financial metrics and nourishes the game for all generations to once again become a respected force in football. And don’t be a stranger in the public sphere.

Even though the AFL is an easy whipping boy, it left itself more vulnerable to criticism in 2025 than the English cricket team. Inexperience combined with hubris was a poor mix.

CEO Andrew Dillon has bolstered football and club experience around him by appointing Tom Harley and Greg Swann in vital roles while former football boss Laura Kane took a sideways step.

Any confusion on who is in charge needs to be removed as soon as the team returns in 2026, with Dillon and Harley the key figures in the administration while Swann is responsible for football. If there is a problem accepting that, leave or pull your head in.

Andrew Dillon and his new football supremo Greg Swann.Credit: Wayne Taylor

The league must join the footy conversation again after morphing into a government department in 2025 with people either too scared to talk to media or unwilling to engage in debates without resorting to cliche and platitudes.

It’s not that hard talking about football. No one ever agrees on the subject nor is it a matter of life or death. Swann knows that, as does Dillon who is more attuned to the public mood than he gets credit for, but he needs support. Grow some perspective, AFL, and join in. You might even........

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