Former Richmond defender Joel Bowden has been appointed as the AFL’s game analysis manager.
The 33-year-old, who played 265 games for the Tigers from 1996-2009, winning two best and fairests, replaces Andrew McKay, who recently joined Carlton as head of football.
Bowden was president of the AFL players’ association in the final three years of his career.
The AFL said his role would be acting as a link between the league and its clubs on laws of the game, the tribunal system and other football matters.
Key issues for Bowden early in his tenure are likely to include possible changes to the interchange system.
Having reduced clubs’ interchange numbers from four to three and a substitute last season, the AFL this year is trialling a further reduction to two interchange and two substitutes during the pre-season.
That will not be introduced for this year’s home-and-away season.
But some clubs have expressed concerns that if it is brought in next season, it will change the game to the extent that they will have to alter the type of players they recruit.
“I am delighted to accept this position as I continue to be excited by our game,” Bowden said.
“I am very passionate about how the game is played, ensuring that it continues to be the best game to watch and to play.”
The AFL also appointed RMIT research associate Patrick Clifton as a football research analyst to help the league examine trends in the game.
AAP scl/ajw/gc