The proposal eventually went through with only Essendon and Port Adelaide voting against it. Geelong abstained from the vote.
But in announcing his club’s stance on the issue, Essendon chairman Neil McKissock made it clear the club was totally supportive of having a female member of the commission.
""We think it is extremely important that the commission have a female member given the critical role women play in the game of AFL football,"" McKissock said.
""Women represent about 50% of the total supporter base of our game and they play a very important role in the administration of our club and that of others.
""The important role of women at all levels is something this club recognised long ago and our record in this area has been exemplary.""
However McKissock said the inclusion of a woman on the AFL commission should not simply come by appointment as this was a further erosion of the AFL club’s ability to directly influence the administration of the game at the highest level.
""The expansion of the AFL commission as proposed takes away the rights of clubs to elect its commission – it will simply become another AFL appointment,"" McKissock said.
""The election of the commission is one of the fundamental rights still available to clubs where we can directly influence commission policy. Essendon Football Club believes this right needs to be protected.""
