Australian Football League Club Research Articles

Scale-up of the Australian Fans in Training (Aussie-FIT) men’s health behaviour change program: a protocol for a randomised controlled hybrid effectiveness–implementation trial

IntroductionImproving physical activity (PA) and healthy eating is critical for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Behaviour change programmes delivered in sporting clubs can engage men in health...

The impact of a new women's professional sport league on pre-existing sport organisations: a modified, integrative approach to examining change

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to explore the process of change in existing professional sport organisations as they initiate a women's team.Design/methodology/approachThree Australian Football League clubs with licenses for professional women's teams were examined, with semi-structured interviews held with three key department managers from each club.FindingsThe findings suggest organisations adopt either a community-focused or commercially focused approach, the selection of which is a response to the interplay of institutional pressures (e.g. league demands), resource demands (e.g. human and financial) and the strategic choices of a few, key “idea champions”.Originality/valueThis study provides insight into the approach change taken by clubs as they introduce a women's team into their existing organisational structure.

Relationships between contract status and player performance in the Australian Football League

ABSTRACT This study analysed the extent to which player performance differs within the Australian Football League (AFL) with respect to the status of a player’s contract. AFL Player Ratings (AFLPR) and contract data were obtained during the 2013–2020 AFL seasons for all 827 players listed by an AFL club at the beginning of the 2020 season. A model of “expected performance” was created allowing for an exploration into the differential with actual performance as a function of contract status. Paired t-tests indicated that there was a difference in performance pre- and post-signing their contract for players who signed mid-season (mean change and 95% confidence interval of −1.48 ± 0.93 and −0.49 ± 0.48 AFLPR, at ten match intervals for those in- and out-of-contract at the conclusion of that year’s season, respectively). Further differences existed between the groups of players who signed mid-season, as compared to those who signed during the off-season. Correlation analyses indicated that more consistent performers are somewhat less likely to see a reduction in performance post signing as compared to less consistent performers. The applications of these findings have the potential to support organisational decisions relating to the timing and nature of player contracting.

Apples and oranges? Comparing player performances between the Australian Football League and second-tier leagues

ABSTRACT This study developed a model to determine the extent to which player performance objectively differs between various Australian football (AF) leagues. Champion Data (CD) ranking points were obtained during the 2016–2019 seasons, for all players across the Australian Football League (AFL) and the 10 main second-tier AF leagues. Data pertaining to each player’s age, playing position and the AF leagues in which they competed in were also collected. Phase One investigated the difference between the AFL and the senior second-tier leagues in which AFL affiliate teams participate. Post-hoc tests indicated that objective player performance was substantially different between the AFL and each of the four senior second-tier leagues (effects ranging from 16.8 to 21.6 CD ranking points). Phase Two investigated the difference between the second-tier leagues from which players are traditionally drafted by an AFL club. Post-hoc tests indicated that objective player performance was substantially different between the four senior second-tier leagues as well as the under-18 national championships, in comparison to each of the reserve and under-18 state leagues. Professional sporting organisations may utilise the methods provided here as an example of what could be implemented to support decisions regarding player contracting, recruitment and team selection.

The Aussie-FIT process evaluation: feasibility and acceptability of a weight loss intervention for men, delivered in Australian Football League settings

Objective This process evaluation aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of Aussie-FIT, a group-based weight loss intervention for men with overweight and obesity in Australia. Design Process data and data collected from: (1) six-participant focus groups (n= 24), (2) coach interviews (n = 4), (3) audio recordings of Aussie-FIT sessions and (4) post-program participant surveys (n= 93) were analysed. Main Outcome Measures We explored the feasibility and acceptability of program setting and context, recruitment strategies, factors impacting implementation and mechanisms of impact. Results Recruitment via Australian Football League (AFL) clubs was highly effective; 426 men expressed interest within 3 days of advertising, 130 men took part. Program attendance was not consistently recorded by coaches. Coach interviews indicated a ‘core group of men’ participated in each session (typically 10–12 of 15 men). Program delivery proved feasible in the AFL context. Program acceptability and satisfaction were high. Internalisation of autonomous motives was identified as driving behaviour change. Behaviour change to support maintained weight loss was facilitated through habit formation, goal setting and effective management of multiple goals. Conclusion Aussie-FIT sets a blueprint for future weight loss interventions that utilise behaviour change strategies and principles of self-determined motivation to support men to lose weight. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12617000515392. © 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

With Crisis Comes Opportunity: Redesigning Performance Departments of Elite Sports Clubs for Life After a Global Pandemic.

The suspension of major sporting competitions due to the global COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial negative impact on the sporting industry. As such, a successful and sustainable return to sport will require extensive modifications to the current operations of sporting organizations. In this article we argue that methods from the realm of sociotechnical systems (STS) theory are highly suited for this purpose. The aim of the study was to use such methods to develop a model of an Australian Football League (AFL) club’s football department. The intention was to identify potential modifications to the club’s operations to support a return to competition following the COVID-19 crisis. Subject Matter Experts from an AFL club participated in three online workshops to develop Work Domain Analysis and Social Organization and Cooperation Analysis models. The results demonstrated the inherent complexity of an AFL football department via numerous interacting values, functions and processes influencing the goals of the system. Conflicts within the system were captured via the modeling and included pursing goals that may not fully reflect the state of the system, a lack of formal assessment of core values, overlapping functions and objects, and an overemphasis on specialized roles. The current analysis has highlighted potential areas for modification in the football department, and sports performance departments in general.

An exploratory investigation into the reception of verbal and video feedback provided to players in an Australian Football League club

Coach observation studies commonly examine training and competition environments, with little attention paid to the ways in which coaches provide video feedback in a performance analysis setting. In addition, few studies have considered the reception of feedback by an athlete, or the characteristics of the athlete that may support or hinder feedback reception. The purposes of this study were threefold. First, to examine the characteristics of feedback provided by a coach during a typical video feedback meeting. Second, to measure the impact of this feedback on athlete learning. Third, to consider a range of learner characteristics that may impact feedback reception. Six coaches and six players affiliated with an Australian Football League (AFL) club were recruited. Coach-player dyads were observed in one-to-one video feedback meetings following a game played in the 2017 season. Players were interviewed to test feedback recall. Players also completed a series of tests designed to measure learner characteristics, with the intention of discovering moderating factors of the relationship between feedback and learning outcomes. Rates of feedback generally mirrored those found in previous studies. Coaches provided nearly 30 feedback messages during each meeting. Players recalled 50% of summarised feedback messages but just 6% of all feedback a week later. A ceiling effect on learner characteristics was observed. The paper presents a novel design for examining feedback effectiveness while considering learner characteristics. Given the findings on feedback quantity and recall, coaches are encouraged to adopt a ‘less is more’ approach to providing feedback.

Exploring the association between recent concussion, subconcussive impacts and depressive symptoms in male Australian Football players

ObjectivesTo explore the association between depressive symptoms and recent head-related trauma (diagnosed concussion, subconcussive impacts) in semiprofessional male Australian Football (AF) players.MethodsSixty-nine semiprofessional male players from a West Australian Football...

ACTN3 (R577X) Genotype Is Associated With Australian Football League Players.

Jacob, Y, Hart, NH, Cochrane, JL, Spiteri, T, Laws, SM, Jones, A, Rogalski, B, Kenna, J, and Anderton, RS. ACTN3 (R577X) genotype is associated with Australian Football League players. J Strength Cond Res 36(2): 573-576, 2022-Genetic variants in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and alpha actinin-3 (ACTN3) genes have been associated with elite sport athletic performance. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of each polymorphism in a cohort of elite Australian football (AF) players. To achieve this, 47 players from an Australian Football League (AFL) club and 59 healthy age matched controls with no history of elite sporting competition were recruited for this study. Each subject provided saliva samples through buccal swab for DNA extraction and genotyping, with group comparisons made using χ2 and odds ratio analysis. There was no significant difference in ACE I/D genotype between healthy control and elite AF players. The ACTN3 XX genotype was significantly underrepresented in AFL players (4.3%) compared with healthy controls (28.8%, p = 0.003). In addition, there was a greater representation of the R allele in elite AF players (70.2%) when compared with healthy controls (50%; χ2 = 8.834, p = 0.002). This is the first study to investigate genetic variants in elite AF players, with results suggesting that the ACTN3 gene may play a significant role explaining aspects of athletic performance in AF.

Subsequent Injury Risk Is Elevated Above Baseline After Return to Play: A 5-Year Prospective Study in Elite Australian Football

Background: The risk of sustaining a subsequent injury is elevated in the weeks after return to play (RTP) from an index injury. However, little is known about the magnitude, duration, and nature by which subsequent injury risk is increased. Purpose: To quantify and describe the risk of injury in a 12-week period after RTP from an index injury in Australian football players. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Injury data were collected from 79 players over 5 years at 1 Australian Football League club. Injuries were classified with the Orchard Sports Injury Classification System and by side of the body. Furthermore, injury severity was classified as time loss (resulting in ≥1 matches being missed) or non–time loss (no matches missed). Subsequent injury was categorized with the SIC-2.0 model and applied to the data set via an automated script. The probability of a time loss subsequent injury was calculated for in-season index injuries for each week of a 12-week period after RTP via a mixed effect logistic regression model. Results: Subsequent injury risk was found to be highest in the week of RTP for both time loss injuries (9.4%) and non–time loss injuries (6.9%). Risk decreased with each week survived after RTP; however, it did not return to baseline risk of participation (3.6%). Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that athletes returning to play are at an increased risk of injury for a number of weeks, thus indicating the requirement for tertiary prevention strategies to ensure that they survive this period.

Playing Performance After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Among Australian Football League Players From 1999 to 2013

Background: Achieving preinjury levels of athletic performance has been challenging for elite athletes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Although a recent study found that 77% of Australian Football League (AFL) players who underwent ACL reconstruction from 1999 to 2013 returned to play at the highest level, the study did not indicate how consistently or well they were able to play. Purpose: To identify the number of AFL players who returned to play consistently over 2 seasons after ACL reconstruction, compare their playing performance in these seasons with preinjury performance, and evaluate factors associated with returning to preinjury levels of performance. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Analysis included 104 AFL players who underwent ACL reconstruction between 1999 and 2013. All had played at least 10 AFL matches in 1 season before ACL injury. Ranking points, as devised by AFL statisticians, were used to measure individual playing performance. Results: Of the 104 players who played at least 10 matches in 1 season before ACL injury, 53 (51%) returned to play at least 10 matches in 2 seasons after surgery. Of these 53 players, 36 (68%) returned to their preinjury levels of performance. The 17 remaining players who did not return to their preinjury performance still performed comparably to the AFL average level after surgery. Players <25 years old (odds ratio = 2.9, P = .01) or <90 kg (odds ratio = 2.7, P = .03) had greater odds of returning to their preinjury levels of performance. Conclusion: Returning to play on a consistent basis was a substantial challenge for AFL players after ACL reconstruction. However, among players who did return to play consistently over 2 seasons, their postsurgery average performance was comparable with the AFL average level of performance, and two-thirds returned to their preinjury levels of performance. Younger and lighter players were more likely to return to their preinjury levels of performance, possibly given the nature of AFL club playing list management decisions.

Association Between Preseason Training and Performance in Elite Australian Football.

To examine the association between preseason training variables and subsequent in-season performance in an elite Australian football team. Data from 41 elite male Australian footballers (mean [SD] age = 23.4 [3.1]y, height =188.4 [7.1]cm, and mass = 86.7 [7.9]kg) were collected from 1 Australian Football League (AFL) club. Preseason training data (external load, internal load, fitness testing, and session participation) were collected across the 17-wk preseason phase (6 and 11 wk post-Christmas). Champion Data© Player Rank (CDPR), coaches' ratings, and round 1 selection were used as in-season performance measures. CDPR and coaches' ratings were examined over the entire season, first half of the season, and the first 4 games. Both Pearson and partial (controlling for AFL age) correlations were calculated to assess if any associations existed between preseason training variables and in-season performance measures. A median split was also employed to differentiate between higher- and lower-performing players for each performance measure. Preseason training activities appeared to have almost no association with performance measured across the entire season and the first half of the season. However, many preseason training variables were significantly linked with performance measured across the first 4 games. Preseason training variables that were measured post-Christmas were the most strongly associated with in-season performance measures. Specifically, total on-field session rating of perceived exertion post-Christmas, a measurement of internal load, displayed the greatest association with performance. Late preseason training (especially on-field match-specific training) is associated with better performance in the early season.

Western Bulldogs Sons of the West Program ripple effects: building community capacity.

Professional sporting organisations can provide lifestyle-based community health improvement programs. Since 2014, the Western Bulldogs Australian Football League Club, through its Western Bulldogs Community Foundation (WBCF), has invested with community partners in the Sons of the West (SOTW) Program, a 10-week program targeted at hard-to-reach men aged ≥18 years living in Victoria's West. The SOTW Program aims to increase its participants' physical activity, social connectedness and overall health. Evaluations by the WBCF revealed the SOTW is positively contributing to improved healthier lifestyles and health of participants. Anecdotal reports revealed the SOTW was creating ripples far beyond the Program's expectations. In 2016-17, the WBCF funded the University of Melbourne to evaluate the SOTW Program ripple effects. An adapted 'Ripple Effect Mapping' approach was used, including 13 focus group discussions with 100 SOTW participants. The SOTW Program is improving men's social connections, health promoting behaviours, health literacy and creating ripple effects including: local community participation; increased volunteerism; enhanced reciprocity; and increased leadership. Community capacity-building frameworks can explain the SOTW Program ripple effects. Professional sporting organisations can provide lifestyle-based health improvement programs and empower men to contribute to building community capacity.

Exploring the skill of recruiting in the Australian Football League

The present study was designed to explore the skill of recruiting in the professional Australian Football League, with a particular interest in the approach to decision making and information processing. The research design utilised semi-structured interviews and a survey instrument. A total of 12 participants comprised of 11 active head recruiters representing 11 Australian Football League Clubs, and one former expert Australian Football League recruiter undertook semi-structured, in-depth interviews to provide insight into recruitment decision making. Additionally, all participants completed a survey determining preferences for intuitive and deliberative decision-making styles. A model created represents the identification of four influential factors in the recruitment approach including (a) recruiter background; (b) recruiter attributes; (c) recruiter understanding of team needs and (d) recruiter–coach relationship. In particular, recruiters revealed that the style of decision making they use is influenced by the relationship with the head coach. Recruiting as a stand-alone position is not well understood. This work shows that both intuition and deliberation are used, the extent to which appears to be influenced by the recruiter–coach relationship. This work offers a strong base to further explore recruiting and talent identification in professional sport, and, particularly, how relationships influence decision style and performance.

Protocol for a gender-sensitised weight loss and healthy living programme for overweight and obese men delivered in Australian football league settings (Aussie-FIT): A feasibility and pilot randomised controlled trial

IntroductionOverweight and obesity are highly prevalent among Australian men. Professional sports settings can act as a powerful ‘hook’ to engage men in weight loss programmes; the Football Fans in Training...

Unhealthy sponsorship in sport: a case study of the AFL

Objective:To analyse the presence of unhealthy sponsorship on Australian Football League (AFL) club websites and player uniforms. Methods:An audit of AFL club websites and playing uniforms identified sponsors and used a traffic light system to categorise sponsors. Food and beverage sponsors were classified as Red, Amber or Green using nutrient criteria. Alcohol sponsors were classified as Red. Gambling sponsors were classified as Red (wagering companies and casinos) or Amber (venues that provide gambling and other services). Sponsors promoting healthy lifestyle concepts were classified as Green. All other sponsors were classified as Other. Results:Unhealthy sponsorship on AFL club websites and player uniforms is extensive. All 18 clubs had at least one Red sponsor. Fifteen clubs were sponsored by alcohol companies. Five clubs featured Red sponsor logos on their playing uniforms. Twelve clubs had Green sponsors. No clubs displayed Green sponsors on their playing uniforms. Conclusions:This study identified that unhealthy sponsorship is prevalent on AFL club websites and playing uniforms. Implications for public health:Sponsorship offers companies an avenue to expose children and young people to their brand, encouraging a connection with that brand. The AFL could reinforce healthy lifestyle choices by shifting the focus away from the visual presence of unhealthy sponsorship, while taking steps to ensure that clubs remain commercially viable. Policy makers are encouraged to consider innovative health promotion strategies and work with sporting clubs and codes to ensure healthy messages are prominent.

Association Between Pre-season Training and Performance in Elite Australian Football.

To examine the association between pre-season training variables and subsequent in-season performance in an elite Australian football team. Data from forty-one elite male Australian footballers (mean±SD: age=23.4±3.1y; height=188.4±7.1cm; mass=86.7±7.9kg) was collected from one Australian Football League (AFL) club. Pre-season training data (external load, internal load, fitness testing and session participation) were collected across the 17-week pre-season phase (6-weeks pre-Christmas, 11-weeks post-Christmas). Champion Data© Player Rank (CDPR), coaches' ratings (CR) and round one selection were used as in-season performance measures. CDPR and CR were examined over the entire season, first half of the season and the first four games. Both Pearson and partial (controlling for AFL age) correlations were calculated to assess if any associations existed between pre-season training variables and in-season performance measures. A median-split was also employed to differentiate between higher and lower performing players for each performance measure. Pre-season training activities appeared to have almost no association with performance measured across the entire season and the first half of the season. However, many pre-season training variables were significantly linked with performance measured across the first four games. Pre-season training variables that were measured post-Christmas were the most strongly associated with in-season performance measures. Specifically, Total on-field session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) post-Xmas, a measurement of internal load, displayed the greatest association with performance. Late pre-season training (especially on-field match specific training) is associated with better performance in the early season.

Examination of player role in the Australian Football League using match performance data

ABSTRACTThis study developed multiple methods to determine player role in Australian Rules football utilising objective match performance data. Specifically, Australian Football League (AFL) Player Ratings from the 2016 AFL season were used to classify players into seven a priori determined playing roles, as well as determine levels of individual player similarity. Mean values for the 11 AFL Player Ratings categories were calculated for each individual player, and a performance profile created based on the relative contribution of points from each category to that players overall rating total. A decision tree model incorporated five of the 11 categories to classify player role at an accuracy of 74.3% (95% confidence interval = 70.5–77.9% across 10-fold cross-validation). Role classification was most accurate for key forwards, midfielders and general defenders, whilst the midfield-forward role was most difficult to define objectively. A Euclidean distance measure was used to determine the most similar pairs of individual players within the AFL, as well as from an intra-club perspective. An application was also developed to visually represent the similarity of players within the squad of a single AFL club. Sporting organisations may apply the methods provided here to support decisions regarding player selection and recruitment.

Authentic Leadership in Nonprofit Sport Organization Boards

To learn more about effective leadership of sport organizations, this study explored board member interactions in nonprofit sport boards and specifically the construct of authentic leadership and its impact on board functioning. This somewhat contrasts with the extant research on governance and boards, which has often focused on elements, such as structure, process, and policy. Scholars have often explored the leadership theme within sport at the individual, coach, team, and sport department level. Limited attention has been afforded to studying leadership within the sport governance domain, although the importance of gaining a greater understanding of this area has been noted by both industry and researchers alike. A case study investigation of the Australian Football League exploring authentic leadership in Australian Football League club boards is presented in this paper. Ten Australian Football League clubs took part in the study, and 51 in-depth interviews were conducted with participants (board members) from clubs located across Australia. Interviews were analyzed using an interpretive process, and a thematic structure relating to leadership, board dynamics, and authenticity was developed. Ultimately, three key components of authenticity emerged as highly influential on board effectiveness: relational orientation, self-awareness, and balanced processing. These findings suggest that the nature of relationships between board members, particularly the chair and chief executive officer, is more positively influential on board functionality if characterized by authenticity and likely to lead to higher levels of trust, reduced disharmony, and limiting the formation of harmful subgroups.

Indigenous player inclusion in the Australian Football League

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to audit the efforts made around the support of indigenous players within the Australian Football League (AFL).Design/methodology/approachContent analysis of the publicly available information on websites of organizations associated with the AFL was undertaken to identify the extent of programs and policies around indigenous representation, inclusion, and development.FindingsThe AFL, as an organization, has a high percentage of indigenous players (employees) in comparison to the wider Australian workforce representation. Largely, indigenous representation within the AFL is merit based, prioritized on an individual’s ability to play football at an elite level. The website audit identified a number of inconsistencies in the public personas portrayed by the AFL and organizations aligned to it such as the AFL Players Association and clubs. The findings raise a number of questions for future research.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation is that the website audit represents a very small insight into the current situation and does not provide a depth of analysis into the circumstances around indigenous inclusion within the AFL. The audit also is very focused on one sporting organization which may or may not be representative of the sport industry.Originality/valueThe research introduces a number of questions for future discovery.