[2], Recruited from Pascoe Vale, Demetriou played for the North Melbourne Football Club as a winger between 1981 and 1987, playing 103 games and kicking 47 goals. (But) I was very careful not to tread on too many toes. Demetriou played 103 games for the North Melbourne Football Club between 1981 and 1987, finishing his playing career with a three-game stint for Hawthorn in 1988. Her sense of humanity, and my father's too, they were very generous and were always looking for the good in people. Demetriou, a straight talker who supporters and critics alike recognise for his negotiating steel as much as they do for his decisiveness on policy issues, has used his CEO tenure to build on the league's expanding reputation as a force for cultural and social change, championing racial equality, cancer awareness and respect for women while putting player welfare at the forefront of league policies on pay and illicit drug use. . "I don't make any decisions without everything having been thought through, chewed up, sliced, diced, looked at inside out, been criticised," he says. "It was a case of 'winners are grinners'," she says without a hint of guilt. Now, as the AFL's chief, with salary and bonus exceeding $1.5 million last year, he is the driver of the AFL Commission's greater ambition for 17th and 18th teams - for the Gold Coast (from 2011) and Sydney's sprawling west (a year later). [15], Demetriou announced on 3 March 2014 that he would step down from the role as AFL CEO after eleven years, at the conclusion of the 2014 AFL season. Andrew Demetriou, the million-dollar boss of Australia's dominant sports code, joins his fellow board members around the table once a month. By the time we've got two teams there the Swans will have been playing in Sydney for 31 years. A fourth daughter would be fantastic. He suffered heartbreak a decade ago when his first wife, the academic and historian Jan Bassett, died of cancer, but today Andrew Demetriou's life seems very much on an even keel. The AFL's headquarters are at afl House in Melbourne's Etihad Stadium. Beyond this foundation, the brothers' childhoods combined both genuine acceptance and deep-rooted racism. And it was possibly a greater asset to him than his kicking, which could be a bit hit and miss. In his role as head of the AFL Commission, he was responsible for a number of changes, including the expansion of the league from 16 to 18 teams, the restructuring of the tribunal system, and the brokering of two new television rights deals. But money isn't the whole story. It was while Demetriou was a student at La Trobe University in 1983 that he met his first wife, historian Jan Bassett. The Demetriou boys regularly drop by and the commitment to family and to one another remains strong. So my career was teaching. "Don't quote me on this, I could get it wrong. But I think it was 28." "I don't know about a fortune," he responds. "I'm never going into politics," he insists now, almost stamping a foot. Aghast, she never went back. His self-assessment went like this: "I am impatient when I see injustice, I am not happy with mediocrity, I have no place for lack of integrity, lack of honesty, lack of respect for others. Collect, curate and comment on your files. The commission has not guaranteed McLachlan the job and appointed an executive search team to test the market for Demetrious successor long before he told Fitzpatrick at the 2014 Super Bowl that he would officially resign in early March. The pairing - cheeky young footy player, independent older woman - seemed unlikely, but their friends remember them as a wonderful couple. The idea of expansion is also in the DNA of the AFL. "I don't think we want to get Andrew involved in the grow suits. If you'd said I was going to be working in football 20 years later, I'd have thought you were mad.". Chief Andrew Demetriou and wife Symone arrive at the David Jones Summer 2006 Collections Launch on August 17, 2006 in Melbourne, Australia. "Every time we expand, we grow," says Demetriou. As the son of working-class migrants, says sports writer Richard Hinds, "he really taps into the psyche of the left. "What people don't realise is that it hasn't been easy for him," says James. He is a member of famous Player with the age 61 years old group. Part of the secret is planning: he's created a five-person strategy team at the AFL to crunch numbers and model scenarios. [citation needed], In 2008, Demetriou earned an annual salary of $1.4 million, making him the highest paid administrator or player then employed by the AFL. Demetriou's lasting impression was of his parents' deep commitment and love for their family, but also the pain for them of distance and separation. But we are where we are based on this unbelievable industry, and the fact is we've got 10 teams in Melbourne that 10 years ago had 200,000 members and now have 400,000. Demetriou's tastes are eclectic if nothing else. That always amuses me. Free market forces might not deem Demetriou's playing career worthy of football's pantheon - a 1985 Scanlen's card of the moustachioed player was selling for $1.99 on eBay last month - though anyone who gets to pull the boots on for more than 100 matches can't be too shabby, a record that would mark a Demetriou boy a potential father-son recruit. People think he's a bit of a dealmaker, but he's massively respected in terms of making money for the game.". David. Even as an 18-year-old, he had larger horizons. Oh. [5], In 2005 he was instrumental in securing a record breaking A$780 million TV rights deal. It's been a real joy to be a part of. I was lucky to have someone who understood," he recalls. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. We provided a small injection of capital which gave the business the ability to borrow money and it's grown incredibly well. In fact, it was not the first, but the first involving Mr Demetriou. Does he ever have time on his own? Demetriou remains a shareholder and board member. "In many ways, they didn't expect anything from us. "But had he been misunderstood? "We are living in an age of scrutiny that we've never experienced before and it's not just football. In 1996, Bassett was diagnosed with breast cancer. View the profiles of professionals named "Andrew Demetriou" on LinkedIn. The western Sydney move is a brave one; we're all looking at that with great interest.". [citation needed], He had a brief move to Hawthorn in 1988, but played only three games and kicked one goal. The new general manager of football operations was stunned, to say the least. "It wasn't whim. "Andrew's not frightened (to take heat) and he encourages us to think long term and make decisions in the long-term interests of the game and not be worried about short term criticisms there's no doubt he came under personal pressure from the Federal Government at that time. "Can you imagine?". But that's part of the game. Tania Hird, the wife of the suspended Essendon coach, has repeated the controversial claim that AFL boss Andrew Demetriou tipped off the club. He pauses again, looking almost embarrassed. I'm the little chairman. It was.Post football, Demetriou set out teaching at first, legal studies and politics, then got into business running Ruthinium, a company that imported dental products. Given her mother followed North Melbourne, she thinks she must have seen him in passing, if only on Saturday evening's TV replay, but she couldn't be sure. "He was the boy from the northern suburbs," one observer puts it. It represents to him what is best about Australia: egalitarianism, acceptance, encouragement of talent. I remember those calls"I just remember their work ethic and their sacrifice to give us better opportunities. In 2011, Demetriou was involved in securing a record breaking A$1.25 billion TV rights deal for the period of 20122016. In fact, Demetriou's term as chief is almost certain to be judged on the success of the AFL's latest foray. Demetriou, of course, knows this very well. but that is not to say that he hasn't experienced challenges to get to that point and won't continue to. His first wife died in 1999. He speaks with his chin down, dark eyes watchful behind his rimless glasses. "And finally, I want the right amount of time to consider my responsibilities to my workplace and my family and to make sure the balance works for both. Have views on everything. Plate of heart Soccer's Jose Mourinho is The Special . "What we've got is five years of data (that) shows we're doing nearly triple the number of tests, and the percentage (of those caught) is dropping. "Huh? "To be frank, if the clubs had had their way, there'd be no national expansion," says Gale. "I love my girls," he says, scooping up Mattea, who abbreviates the Greek "baba" to "bubs" when she calls him. Demetriou is best known for his position as CEO of the Australian Football League. I've got to say he was absolutely amazing. What we've said all along is that we're just offering another option for young children to take up the game. It's the first time in history it's gone into a market without there being some demand for the game there.". Recruited from Pascoe Vale, Demetriou played for the North Melbourne Football Club as a winger between 1981 and 1987, playing 103 games and kicking 47 goals. My mother, who passed away three years ago, was an incredible woman. "Every dollar that goes to the GWS, that's a dollar less to the existing clubs or players.". The expansion has been planned and supported by Demetriou's AFL at its streamlined, spin-savvy best, with a massive fighting fund, an aggressive recruiting policy and a much-denied-but-hard-to-escape determination to become the dominant football code in Australia. He understands the power and responsibility of running the "people's game". 1998 Between 1998 and 2000, Demetriou was CEO of the AFL Players Association. "I think the task is absolutely massive," says Ireland. Then there's Purebaby, to add a bit of fun. Nor does she recall easily his number. So he was really pointing out missed opportunities. [18], Demetriou had a regular spot with Red Symons on Melbourne radio station ABC 774. Everyone has to because that's just the expectation. Andrew Demetrious long-anticipated and impeccably-timed resignation was punctuated with emotion, humour and a characteristic verbal whack when the subject of his legacy was inevitably linked with the Essendon drugs scandal. Andrew is currently non Executive Director of Crown Resorts, Chairman of Capital Health Group and Cox Architects and sits on the Australian Reconciliation Council. At 61 years old, Andrew Demetriou height Demetriou insists that the policy, which forces two-time offenders into rehabilitation before any suspension, is working. Her son was knocked out by Leigh Matthews and carried off. We have estimated "I've said continuously that it's not going to be easy," says Demetriou calmly. Director, Commercial. Encouraging kids and beginners to try your code is one thing; seducing mature athletes from a rival code after years of development is quite another. The couple tied the wedding knot in November 2021, a year after their engagement. "Our numbers are very impressive in western Sydney," he says, when he says anything at all. But should his long-serving deputy, who knocked back the NRL job in early 2013, fail to succeed him then McLachlan too would leave. [8] North Melbourne rejected that offer and, in January 2008, the AFL chairman, Mike Fitzpatrick and Demetriou announced that the Gold Coast Football Club would enter the AFL in 2011. Back in his playing days - 106 games for North Melbourne and Hawthorn - fitness came naturally. ", "What is out there is our bread and butter. "Demetriou's values were sewn into his very fabric by his humble upbringing, by the work ethic and sacrifice of parents hell-bent on building a life for their children in a new land. . This is in itself quite charming. "No disrespect to Andrew, but I don't think that's really his area of expertise," she laughs. What might have been acceptable 10 years ago is not acceptable now. Jennifer husband is now married to news anchor Amy Robach and is co-parenting Robach two daughter together. The chief executive, who joined the AFL first as its football boss in 2000, will vacate the role which has become the most powerful in Australian sport, was questioned about whether he should be blamed at all for Essendons dangerous drug program. [4], In 2009, Demetriou earned $1.8 million for his role at the AFL. That would leave a massive hole at the competitions governing body and the game at the crossroads. We take these people and put them into a club environment and we expect them all to behave exactly the same. Western Bulldogs great Luke Darcy tells Sarah Olle the one piece of wellbeing advice he'd give to his younger self, Sarah Olle and Josh Gabelich with the latest footy news, Join us as 'The Journey' begins for the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, Nat Edwards with all the latest footy news, The Fremantle coach admits he could have done things differently to try to keep some of his big-name players, Jeppa and Fry have been providing rookie content for years and pick the best of the 2023 crop, Take a look back at the highs and lows from the glory days of the old pre-season cup, Brad Scott tells Callum Twomey how his time at North Melbourne has him primed for a second crack at senior coaching, The priority signing period has officially kicked off! Jill Lindsay, in charge of league grounds and one of the AFL's longest-serving executives, looked Demetriou square in the eye on day one and said: "So, you're the guy who stuffed the league." Two years later, Demetriou had begun to learn his lesson. When the AFL season begins on Thursday, it will include a new team, the Gold Coast Suns, and in 2012, the Suns will be joined by the Greater Western Sydney Giants (GWS); then, for the first time in its 115-year history, the VFL/AFL will have 18 teams in its top competition. Andrew Demetriou speaks to the media during the official opening of the Learning Life Centre at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre on February 18,. Development of Carriageworks' commercial and major events programs to expand our . I invest heavily in my family, and in friends and colleagues. "You've got to give it to her, she's a consistent performer. Credit: The high-profile Melbourne identity, who has been a director of the casino giant since 2015 and is chairman of Crown . About colours. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. "Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Pennant Hills: it's an upper-middle-class socio-economic group they want. This is no doubt true - but not the whole truth. To do what? "James Brayshaw, the North Melbourne chairman and media personality who crossed swords with Demetriou when the AFL was pushing hard for North to relocate to the Gold Coast, says the AFL boss can bury the hatchet if he has to. He passes a few remarks about Peter Costello's criticism of Australian Football League players visiting schools, and reflects on the launch of rugby union's new Melbourne team. "Footy wasn't a career path for me," Demetriou acknowledges. Or, as he would put it, giving people options. "But what I do know is that in greater western Sydney, there are 220 different ethnic groups, 220 languages spoken and 180,000 indigenous people. Suitably enough, Demetriou met Symone Richards, then a corporate accounts manager, in 2001 at a grand-final-day function. Eventually, the Australian arm bought out its Italian parent. In the dedication of a final book, she made an unusual reference to her husband. But his mother went only once, to the MCG for a final against Hawthorn in 1982. Demetriou found himself playing alongside some of North's greats - Keith Greig, Wayne Schimmelbusch, Ross Glendinning, the Krakouer brothers and Malcolm Blight to name a few - but by the time he was in his prime in the mid-'80s that premiership era had passed. He may even, say several of his friends, end up at Lake Como. He seems relaxed but self-possessed, friendly but not confiding. We manufacture and distribute false teeth. Michael Warner and Ashley Argoon 5 min read December 12, 2013 - 5:27PM HeraldSun "Clearly, we've had great opportunities because of what our parents did for us," says Demetriou. Easy for him, '' he responds securing a record breaking a $ 1.25 billion rights! People and put them into a club environment and we expect them all to behave the! 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