Patrick Dangerfield has stepped down as President of the AFL Players’ Association, making the announcement following the 2025 AFLPA Annual General Meeting on Tuesday evening. 

Dangerfield, who will remain on the Board, is the AFLPA’s equal second longest-serving President, having been first elected to the role in 2018, and serving on the Board since 2014. 

His tenure covered some of the most significant moments in the game’s history for players including the industry’s COVID response, two AFLW Collective Bargaining Agreements, the return of State of Origin to raise funds for the 2019-2020 bushfire disaster, the introduction of player parity on the Board, and the historic first joint AFL and AFLW CBA in 2023. 

Following Dangerfield’s decision, the Board elected Darcy Moore as the players’ new President. Moore has served on the Board since 2021, with the past year spent in the role as Co-Vice President. 

“It’s been a great honour to serve the players as their President, and advocate on issues important to them,” Dangerfield said. 

“There has been a lot of change since beginning in this role in 2018, and I’m proud of what we – as a playing group, Board and Association – have achieved, from steering and supporting the players through COVID, to the growth of AFLW, and our landmark joint CBA. 

“I’m thrilled to hand the reins over to Darcy, who is a passionate and respected leader within the AFLPA and the wider industry. The players are in safe hands.” 

CEO Paul Marsh expressed his gratitude for Dangerfield’s leadership and guidance. 

“The members and staff of the AFLPA have been incredibly fortunate to have had Patrick Dangerfield serve as our President for the past seven years. Throughout this time, he has been a strong, courageous and passionate advocate for the players and provided unwavering guidance and support to our staff.  

“The past seven years have been filled with challenges and, under Danger’s leadership, the AFLPA is in an exceptionally strong position. He hands over the reins to another outstanding leader in Darcy Moore who we have no doubt will do an incredible job. 

“On a personal note, I want to thank Danger for his constant support of me, and to Mardi, George, Flic and Winni for sharing him with us over the past seven years. I feel very fortunate to have worked with him.” 

Moore spoke to his excitement at taking on the new role and being handed the torch from Dangerfield. 

“Danger has been a strong, effective leader of our association throughout his time as President, and I’m honoured and humbled to take over the position from such a respected figure. 

“I’m a firm believer in the strength and unity of the playing group, and that we can continue to achieve great things for the players and the industry.  

“I’m looking forward representing the players as their President and continuing our work as we build towards another CBA in 2027.” 

Catherine Phillips also stepped down from the AFLPA Board, in-line with her retirement from the game last year, ending her three-year tenure. 

With three AFLW player positions available, the playing group re-elected Kerryn Peterson and Isabel Huntington, while Chloe Molloy was elected by her peers to the join the Board. 

Peterson was re-appointed to the position of Co-Vice President, with Sam Frost also elevated to the role during the Board meeting after the AGM. 

Chair Kristen Hilton paid tribute to Dangerfield and Phillips. 

“On behalf of the Board and the AFL Players’ Association, I’d like to thank Paddy for his leadership as President, and Catherine for her incredible service to the players. 
 
“I would also like to welcome our newest Board member, Chloe Molloy. We are lucky to have such impressive individuals representing the playing group as well as providing guidance to AFLPA, and I look forward to working with them.” 

The AFLPA Board is now made up of: 

·         Darcy Moore (President) 

·         Kerryn Peterson (Co-Vice President) 

·         Sam Frost (Co-Vice President) 

·         Kristen Hilton (Chair) 

·         Paul Marsh (CEO) 

·         Patrick Dangerfield 

·         Isabel Huntington 

·         Kirsty Lamb 

·         Chloe Molloy 

·         Marc Pittonet 

·         Chris Heffernan (Independent Director) 

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