An image of Chris Fagan’s press conference following Brisbane’s win over North Melbourne has spread across the internet and it has exposed a sad reality for the AFL.
Post game press conferences have been a staple of the game, but as times continue to change it feels like the game has moved on from them.
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Over the years we have witnessed some truly iconic moments unfold between coaches and the throng of media waiting to lob questions their way.
Former Collingwood Michael Malthouse once peppered Jay Clark after he was asked if they had “come to play”.
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge launched a scathing attack on Tom Morris in 2022 as their feud erupted on camera.
And nobody was safe back in the day from a Grant Thomas, Ross Lyon or Alastair Clarkson verbal barrage.
But those days are now few and very far between.
The sad reality is post game press conferences are just becoming something that simply has to be ticked off.
And the image of Fagan and only AAP’s Roger Vaughan in attendance on Saturday amplifies that truth.
The viral photo ignited fierce debate among footy faithful with calls divided on how the league should adapt moving forward.
Richmond historian Rhett Bartlett believes it’s time for the league to open the doors and welcome in the new generation of media coverage.
“I think the AFL and the clubs should open their postmatch pressers to the podcasters / “influencers” (I hate that word) / bloggers. Because there really any mainstream folk attending,” he wrote on X.
His thoughts were echoed by AFL social media influencer Jarra Davis.
“But yes! The AFL should absolutely continue being so incredibly tight with their media accreditation. Journalism students, reputable fan podcasts/channels etc should all have access. It would not only create more content from the pressers, it would be actively promoting the game and increasing the quality of the coverage as well as the people covering it.”
The rise of influencers covering games has exploded over the years alongside the rise of social media.
Former AFL player Daniel Gorringe has become a bigger figure in the game since hanging up the boots thanks to his coverage on effectively every single social media pipeline.
His following has attracted a whole new audience to the game and it’s that market the AFL has been keen to capitalise on.
SEN owner and AFL heavyweight Craig Hutchison said Gorringe was among the most influential figures in the game.
“Daniel Gorringe has had more impact on the (Legend’s) game than anyone,” Hutchison said on The Sounding Board podcast in August last year.
“I could mount a case that Daniel Gorringe is inside the top 10 most influential people in football now.
“There will be people watching the TV on Thursday night to watch him, who have never watched television before.”
Whether you love it or hate it, social media has changed how fans are consuming the game and getting their news.
While the AFL likely won’t ever remove the staple that is post game press conferences, it’s time they adapted to the evolving world and revamped the process before they’re officially dead and buried.
