News Jeff Browne and Eddie McGuire at odds as race to replace Richard Goyder heats up

[THE THIN MAN]

Eddie McGuire’s decades-long friendship with former Channel 9 and Magpies boss Jeff Browne has fractured over the escalating fight for the AFL’s top job.

Until just days ago, Browne was considered the frontrunner to replace Richard Goyder as AFL commission chairman.

But a series of behind-the-scenes manoeuvres have seen former Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon charge into favouritism.

McGuire and Browne have been best friends since the 1980s, but Eddie has emerged as a key backer of Gordon’s ascension to the throne, blindsiding his old mate.

“Eddie has buddied up to Gordon,” one insider said.

“The clubs are now going to end up with the Gordon-McGuire ticket.”

Browne has significant support among the 18 clubs but does not have the numbers around the Goyder-led commission table.

He has now withdrawn from the nominations process over what some claim is concern over its integrity.

One senior figure said a bloc of Goyder-appointed commissioners wanted to “stick with him and his plan to defeat Browne”.

Others insist Gordon, the league’s go-to lawyer who served two stints as Bulldogs boss, is the best credentialed candidate.

Several frustrated club chiefs believe that the process to replace Goyder has already been concluded.

Gordon was a guest of the AFL at Friday night’s Geelong-Brisbane qualifying final.

Former Geelong president and fellow commission candidate Craig Drummond was also invited to Friday night’s function in the MCG Olympic Room.

Browne was not.

Under the AFL constitution, the commission – not the clubs – picks the chairman.

But there was a belief that the current eight-person nominations committee, which includes five club presidents and three commissioners, including Goyder as its chair, would be selecting the chairman this time around.

Some claim the commission has now “moved the goalposts”.

Browne was the managing director of Channel 9 during McGuire’s halcyon days on TV and they have both served as president of Collingwood.

“Jeff Browne is a very impressive person, he’s a great friend of mine,” McGuire said in 2021 as Browne made a run for the Magpies’ presidency.

Goyder has reluctantly agreed to stand down as AFL chairman after losing support in clubland.

 

[Muddiemoose]

Actually think Eddie would be a good pick

I used to loathe the campaigner but when you actually listen to him he has a good understanding of the game and also understands the importance of a strong big 4 for the greater health of the comp

 

[Truetiger]

Actually think Eddie would be a good pick

I used to loathe the campaigner but when you actually listen to him he has a good understanding of the game and also understands the importance of a strong big 4 for the greater health of the comp

I’ve had the opportunity to meet Eddie over the years, and he’s a very knowledgeable and friendly person. Ignore all the jokes from most on our board – they’ll only appoint him because he’s from Collingwood. You don’t run a major TV network if you have no clue what you’re doing. The AFL would be better with him than without.

 

[Nostradumbass]

. You don’t run a major TV network if you have no clue what you’re doing.

That's exactly what happened

 

[Muddiemoose]

I’ve had the opportunity to meet Eddie over the years, and he’s a very knowledgeable and friendly person. Ignore all the jokes from most on our board – they’ll only appoint him because he’s from Collingwood. You don’t run a major TV network if you have no clue what you’re doing. The AFL would be better with him than without.

Also seems like the type who won’t half ass anything

For better or worse for him personally he’s a genuine work a holic who will give any role he has 100%

He’s obviously got strong commercial understanding but also seems to understand the need to balance that with the grass roots and club member importance

 

[Groupie_]

jeff browne LOL another pies fat cat in the cfl

 

[Groupie_]

Actually think Eddie would be a good pick

I used to loathe the campaigner but when you actually listen to him he has a good understanding of the game and also understands the importance of a strong big 4 for the greater health of the comp

read the article mang its bewteen gordon and browne

 

[Truetiger]

That's exactly what happened

That’s my point – he has a wealth of experience, and I hope he puts his name up. He would offer a lot to our game for the best.

 

[Groupie_]

That’s my point – he has a wealth of experience, and I hope he puts his name up.

hes not doing that m8

eddie would get rid of the stand rule on day one I reckon

 

[Muddiemoose]

read the article mang its bewteen gordon and browne

Gordon will be eddies puppet

 

[Groupie_]

Gordon will be eddies puppet

jeff browne will lobby for the stand rule to stay in cos it kept the pies old list winning when he was there

 

[STRUGGLETOWN EST1885]

hes not doing that m8

eddie would get rid of the stand rule on day one I reckon

Well if Gordon gets the role and Eddie tells him to get rid of the stand rule we are all for it. If Eddie then tells Gordon we need the Big 4 all strong again and it's time for Geelong to spend 5 to 7 years down the bottom to learn some humility like the Big 4 have copped then come on down !!

 

[THE THIN MAN]

Won't happen, McGuire has been bedfellows with AFLHQ since he was president.

Why was Collingwood allowed to have a sweetheart deal with the MCG and why do they not travel.

Why did McGuire never use his media position to promote effective change within AFLHQ?

All because McGuire has been hand in glove with AFLHQ.

 

[Groupie_]

Well if Gordon gets the role and Eddie tells him to get rid of the stand rule we are all for it. If Eddie then tells Gordon we need the Big 4 all strong again and it's time for Geelong to spend 5 to 7 years down the bottom to learn some humility like the Big 4 have copped then come on down !!

mclovin

 

[tigs2010]

You'd think Geelong could wheel out David Mensch or Barry Stoneham ffs are they even trying anymore?

 

[SunshineBoy]

You'd think Geelong could wheel out David Mensch or Barry Stoneham ffs are they even trying anymore?

They don’t need to try they have the dirt on everyone , when shocking was there he peeked under the carpet

 

[Groupie_]

its always a colonwood or scatters getting the afl house nod

 

[Muddiemoose]

its always a colonwood or scatters getting the afl house nod

Gale too busy trying to steal our father sons and gifting them to Tassie

 

[a_fighting_fury]

AFL ‘integrity’ strikes again — Browne never stood a chance

 

[Tiger_4_Life]

jeff browne LOL another pies fat cat in the cfl

His son has a law degree Im led to believe

 

[Groupie_]

His son has a law degree Im led to believe

I think he went to victoria tafe

 

[Groupie_]

AFL ‘integrity’ strikes again — Browne never stood a chance

fkhim

 

[SunshineBoy]

AFL ‘integrity’ strikes again — Browne never stood a chance

Cant allow integrity into the AFL ….what next fair games?

 

[sabso]

Massive conflict of interest with mcchins but the afl will allow it

 

[Truetiger]

Massive conflict of interest with mcchins but the afl will allow it

Eddie doesn’t want the job.