The criteria:<\/strong> The panel of 10 judges was asked to select people who influence how the AFL and AFLW are played, watched, understood, coached and commercialised. These are people who are either making a difference now, or who will change football in a meaningful way over the next <\/em>decade. They could be players, coaches, administrators, commissioners, agents, club bosses, politicians, businesspeople, lawyers, or media people. (The judges were not permitted to select themselves or other journalists.)<\/p>\n How the judging worked:<\/strong> Each judge picked their own top 20, with votes apportioned in reverse order. So, No.20 was given one vote and No.19 two votes, and so on. From there, we compiled the top 50 based on total votes. We have published 10 names every day, culminating with the top 10.<\/p>\n Arguably one of the greatest modern-day coaches, the newly appointed Gold Coast mentor will be hoping he can bring the same success he did at his former club. The experienced Hardwick brings a ruthless but kind-hearted nature \u2013 his premiership Tigers championed vulnerability as part of their make-up. These are the qualities that make players want to play for him, and it\u2019s this attitude that will get the Suns their first finals appearance. A high-profile figure like Hardwick will provide Gold Coast with much-needed list stability as the lure for players to go home will decrease. Will Hardwick be able to influence Dustin Martin to join him up north? – Emma Kearney<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n New Suns coach Damien Hardwick.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n The Collingwood skipper\u2019s erudite speech on Anzac Day underscored his wide interests, unusual confidence and willingness to venture into cultural matters beyond footy\u2019s confines. Moore is intelligent, well-read and yet reared in the game\u2019s traditions via his illustrious dual Brownlow medallist dad Peter. Moore, a leader within the AFLPA, is going to make his presence felt over the coming years. He had a huge hand in Collingwood\u2019s response to the Do Better<\/em> report and is a seminal figure in that club\u2019s attempts to shed the baggage of old school attitudes. And he\u2019s a hell of a player. – Jake Niall<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Darcy Moore memorably addressed the crowd on Anzac Day.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>AFL Photos \/ Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n As the head of the AFL Players\u2019 Association, Marsh already has significant sway in the league and will continue to be a powerful figure. The AFL and the AFLPA have been locked in negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement for a year now, and Marsh recently revealed the two sides were a long way apart. Marsh\u2019s tenure at the cricket players\u2019 union coincided with the professionalisation of the women\u2019s game and the next CBA will have a major impact on the AFLW and the growth of the women\u2019s competition over the next decade. – Chris De Silva<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Jason South<\/cite><\/p>\n Gale\u2019s first job when appointed CEO of Richmond at the end of 2009 was to ratify the untried Damien Hardwick as senior coach. The second was to unveil an ambitious and widely mocked long-term plan that involved winning a premiership, eradicating the club\u2019s $4 million dollar debt and achieving 75,000 members. Revered for transforming the Tigers from basket case to powerhouse by his staff; peers in clubland remain mystified as to why the AFL Commission snubbed him in his bid to replace Gillon McLachlan. Should he choose to take it, the 244-game former player and AFLPA boss will assume the helm of Tasmania as soon as he is ready to leave Richmond. – Caroline Wilson<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Richmond CEO Brendon Gale.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n Whether or not Nick Daicos wins the Brownlow in his second year \u2013 he was favourite before he got injured a few weeks out from finals \u2013 he\u2019s going to have a huge impact on the footy landscape. He has speed, game awareness, elite skills, footy pedigree and serious cachet among young fans, and he plays for the biggest club in the country. As the son of the mercurial Peter Daicos and younger brother of teammate Josh, there is plenty of romance about his rise, and with the Magpies likely to be challenging for flags, he will be a superstar of his generation. – Marnie Vinall<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Pies young gun Nick Daicos.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n In essence, Kylie brings in the money for the AFL via corporate sponsorships, ticketing, fans and advertising. In recent months, Rogers and her team have created a new marketing strategy to engage more consumers of AFLW, in an attempt to increase viewership of the game. The women\u2019s game is the largest growth area of the sport, with new participants increasing year-on-year, but it\u2019s the work of Rogers that will continue the development of the AFLW competition by growing the audience and providing greater revenue for the AFL. – Emma Kearney<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Kylie Rogers.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Arsineh Houspian<\/cite><\/p>\n Laura Kane acted in the role for several months before her appointment to become the league\u2019s footy chief and lieutenant to Andrew Dillon. Kane spent five years at North Melbourne leading her team to build North\u2019s first AFLW side and by the time she left the club, was heading up the operations and strategy team across the entire football club. It was no surprise that ex-North Melbourne coach Brad Scott, then executive football manager of the AFL, wanted to recruit her. The lawyer turned football administrator has impressed executives since joining the AFL in late 2021, where her major role was managing state leagues and the AFL as they navigated COVID-19 protocols. Laura Kane could be on her way to becoming the AFL\u2019s first woman CEO. – Emma Kearney<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Laura Kane is the AFL\u2019s new executive general manager of football.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>AFL Photos<\/cite><\/p>\n Pearce has been one of if not the most influential female figures in the game over the last 10 years. She put women\u2019s football on the map as a player and has shown no signs of slowing down in retirement. Her impressive foray into the commentary box has already started to redefine the role women can play on AFL broadcasts. The next step for Pearce, who has a sharp footy brain, has been a move into coaching with Geelong\u2019s AFL side. Such is the respect Pearce has in the industry, a successful move into coaching will open the door for more women to follow. – Nat Yoannidis<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Premiership player, coach and broadcaster Daisy Pearce.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n The Geelong captain added a premiership medallion in 2022, completing his spectacular trophy cabinet that also includes eight All-Australian blazers. Dangerfield wears multiple hats, notably the president of the AFL Players Association, and he will be crucial in finalising the new collective bargaining agreement between the AFL and the players. Upon retirement, Dangerfield will be heavily courted by media outlets and the AFL and continue to shape the game in those roles. – Kane Cornes<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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