Stories
Matthew Pavlich will continue as the AFL Players’ Association President for a third year after he was re-elected unopposed at a Board meeting on Wednesday night.
Pavlich will be deputised by Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield, who has been elevated to the position of Vice-President in place of the recently-retired Will Minson.
In addition to new Directors Scott Pendlebury, Daisy Pearce, Easton Wood, Sam Docherty and Phil Davis, digital strategy consultant and former sports lawyer Andrew Twaits has also joined the Board.
Twaits has been an advisor to the AFL Players’ Association for the past five years and his addition to the Board was made possible by a constitution change to allow for up to two appointed Directors.
Twaits brings experience in law, governance, commercial, strategy and digital to the Board, from his time working in private practice, at Cricket Australia and as the CEO of Betfair.
He will directly support the President and Vice-President by filling the role of Chairperson in regular meetings.
“I really appreciate the Board’s support in electing me as their independent Chairperson. I look forward to working with them in this new capacity,” Twaits said.
“I hope to ensure the Board continues to function in a way that supports the strategic agenda that Paul and his management team are responsible for executing and help the players get the most they can out of their experience as a Director of the AFLPA.”
Despite stepping down from his playing duties, Pavlich says he remains committed to advocating for the rights of players, both past and present.
“It’s a crucial time for all AFL players with CBA negotiations ongoing and I’m looking forward to working with Patrick, Andrew and the rest of the Board to represent the interests of players,” Pavlich said.
“Our membership is as united as we’ve ever been and with the addition of more than 200 female members, the Players’ Association has never been stronger.”
Dangerfield, who has been a Board member for the past three years, says he wants to keep driving outcomes for players.
“I feel as though stepping up to support Pav as the Vice-President is the next step in my development. We’ve assembled a high calibre Board and I’m confident we’ll achieve some great outcomes for players going forward,” Dangerfield said.
The 11-member Board is comprised of:
Matthew Pavlich (President)
Patrick Dangerfield (Vice-President)
Andrew Twaits (Chairperson)
Paul Marsh (CEO)
Leigh Montagna
Rory Sloane
Scott Pendlebury (new)
Daisy Pearce (new)
Easton Wood (new)
Phil Davis (new)
Sam Docherty (new)
Andrew Twaits bio:
Twaits started his career as a sports and commercial lawyer in private practice before moving to Cricket Australia, where he managed legal and also worked across strategy, media rights, collective bargaining and digital. In 2005 he left Cricket Australia to help establish Betfair in Australia – a joint venture between PBL/Crown and Betfair UK. After nearly 7 years at Betfair – half that time spent as CEO – Andrew left in 2012 to establish The Strategy Canvas, where he provides digital and data strategy advice across the retail, media, financial services, mining and not for profit sectors. Twaits has been a member of the AFLPA’s advisory board since 2012 and also spent three years as a director of Racing Victoria. He has undergraduate degrees in law and commerce from Bond University, a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne and an MBA from the Melbourne Business School. He is also a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.