Geelong fined after AFL investigation found repeated failures to properly report third-party arrangements

Geelong has been fined $77,500 by the AFL after a lengthy investigation found the club failed to properly disclose multiple third-party payment arrangements across several years. 

The league on Wednesday confirmed the sanction followed an extended audit into the side’s Total Player Payment records, which uncovered what it described as “a series of non-disclosures” involving third parties and club associates. 

While the investigation did not identify any breaches of salary cap or player movement rules, the AFL said the club’s reporting practices had fallen short of compliance expectations. 

“The Extended Audit found, on the basis of the information obtained and reviewed by the AFL, that the Club did not breach the AFL TPP Limit nor the AFL player movement rules in any season within the timeframe assessed,” the league said in a statement. 

“The Extended Audit discovered a series of non-disclosures and/or late disclosures of arrangements with Club associates and third parties, that were required to be reported to the AFL.” 

Of the total fine, $40,000 has been suspended for two years – meaning Geelong will only pay $37,500. This is provided the club does not breach Total Player Payment or Soft Cap rules within the next 24 months. 

The sanction follows months of scrutiny after the AFL launched an extended audit into the club’s financial disclosures in 2024.  

Earlier questions had been raised around potential issues involving commercial partnerships linked to player and coaching deals, including Bailey Smith’s arrangement with Cotton On and Chris Scott’s with Morris Finance – both major Geelong sponsors – which the club is required to disclose.

In Wednesday’s statement, the AFL stopped short of naming any specific cases tied to the non-disclosures but confirmed that issues also existed within the club’s AFLW program. These were deemed to be administrative in nature. 

“In respect of the AFLW program, the non-disclosures identified were found to be administrative errors and do not amount to material breaches of the TPP Rules or player movement rules,” the statement said. 

As part of the ruling, the league has directed Geelong to strengthen its internal reporting procedures, including the creation of an “active register” detailing all current and future arrangements with associates and external parties.  

The registers must be available for inspection by the AFL at any time. 

Geelong has accepted the findings and pledged to tighten its compliance and governance processes. 

“The club and its personnel have fully cooperated throughout the audit process and worked closely with the AFL and EY to transparently provide access, documentation and information as required,” said Geelong chief executive Steve Hocking in a statement. 

“We acknowledge the outcome of the audit has confirmed the Club has not breached AFL TPP limits nor the AFL player movement rules. 

“We also acknowledge the audit identified a number of non-disclosure items over the six-year period. We accept the AFL’s sanctions for these errors and will strengthen our education and governance processes moving forward.” 

The AFL said it considers the matter closed but warned that clubs are expected to maintain full transparency in all commercial and third-party dealings going forward.