THE AFL will approach outgoing Premier Steve Bracks about potentially joining its commission next season.
While chairman Mike Fitzpatrick and his subcommittee already have compiled a shortlist of roughly 12 prospective candidates to fill two vacancies on the AFL board, they now will add Bracks to their list of candidates.
Bracks enjoys a number of close relationships with key AFL figures and has been an invaluable supporter of the game through the State Government's new funding arrangements with some Victorian clubs in a bid to improve their facilities for club and community use.
A staunch Geelong supporter, he was instrumental in pushing through the profitable redevelopment of Skilled Stadium.
Geelong president Frank Costa is a confidant of Bracks, and is also a member of the subcommittee Fitzpatrick has put together to choose the new AFL commissioners.
Not only is the league looking to fill the vacancy left by the late chairman Ron Evans, but a second spot has emerged following Colin Carter's announcement he will stand down.
The subcommittee also includes Adelaide chairman Bill Sanders and commissioner Graeme John.
One key ingredient the AFL has identified in recent times for a new commissioner is contacts and influence with all tiers of government.
Bracks was asked yesterday whether he would have any interest in joining the Geelong board but he indicated that in the short term, he would not. The retiring Premier has indicated a strong desire to step away from public life but a position on the commission — which includes an honorarium payment of about $20,000 — would be very much a low-profile part-time position requiring attendance at a minimum of 15 games a season.
Costa, Sanders and Fitzpatrick already have met once without John and will meet again to reconsider their list of candidates following Fitzpatrick's return from overseas at the end of the week.
Bracks, who has insisted he has no plans for his political retirement except to spend time with his family, is also a staunch VFL supporter through his local club Williamstown, and he is also the No. 1 member of the Altona Football Club.
