It is with a heavy heart that the Australian Football League (AFL) community mourns the passing of Ron Joseph, a legendary administrator who dedicated his life to the game.
Ron Joseph was born in Melbourne in 1932 and began his career as a player in the Victorian Football League (VFL) in 1952. After a successful playing career, he moved into administration and was appointed as the VFL’s General Manager in 1975. He held this position for 10 years and was responsible for the introduction of many of the rules and regulations that are still in place today.
In 1985, Joseph was appointed as the AFL’s first full-time Chief Executive Officer. During his time in this role, he was instrumental in the development of the game and its expansion into new markets. He was also responsible for the introduction of the draft system and the salary cap, which have since become integral parts of the AFL.
Joseph was also a passionate advocate for equal rights and opportunities for all players, regardless of their background or gender. He was a strong supporter of Indigenous players and was instrumental in the establishment of the AFL’s Indigenous Advisory Council.
Joseph retired from his role as CEO in 1996 but continued to be involved in the game as a consultant and mentor to many of the current AFL administrators. He was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2002 and was awarded an Order of Australia in 2004 for his services to Australian Rules Football.
Ron Joseph will be remembered as one of the greatest administrators in the history of the game. His legacy will live on through the many changes he made to the game and his passion for equality and fairness. The AFL community will miss him dearly.
