Our Staff

Matthew Finnis
Chief Executive Officer

Matt was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the AFL Players’ Association in September 2009 after previously holding the positions of General Manager – Operations and, prior to that, Manager – Player Relations.

During his time at the PA Matt has driven an agenda which resulted in the agreement to introduce free agency to the AFL. He has also represented player interests in a range of issues, including commercial rights and individual grievances, and chaired the AFLPA Agent Accreditation Board.

He recently played a central role in negotiating with the AFL to secure recognition for the significant part AFL footballers play in the phenomenal and growing success of the code.

Prior to joining the PA Matt worked as a commercial lawyer advising numerous sporting organisations, businesses, athletes and government.

Matt is currently chairman of Ladder – an AFL Players charitable initiative to tackle youth homelessness and a director of AFL SportsReady – the AFL industry’s group training company. He is also a director of Surfing Australia – the peak governing body for the sport of surfing, and has been a director and company secretary of Surf Life Saving Victoria since 2002. Matt was also a founding director of HeartKids Australia, a charity supporting children born with congenital heart disease.

Matt is married to wife D’Arne and a father to two young boys, Jake and Ryley and daughter, Elizabeth.