Statement attributed to the AFLPA Agents’ Accreditation Board in relation to the conduct of Phoenix Management Group. 

The AFLPA Agents’ Accreditation Board (AAB) has found Phoenix Management Group in breach of the AFLPA Regulations Governing Accredited Agents, relating to conduct with prospective players in the Talent Pathways. 

The process for approaching prospective players is clearly outlined in the Regulations. This process not only provides players and their families with the ability to manage how they are communicated with by agents, but also aims to ensure a fair and equal process for all agents when contacting prospective clients. 

The AAB found that in October 2025, Phoenix Management had followed a Talent Pathway player on social media while the player’s status on the Agent Portal was set to ‘no approaches at this time’. This conduct amounted to multiple breaches of the Regulations, specifically, clauses 18.1.2, 18.1.5 and 18.1.6: 

• Clause 18.1.2 of the Regulations outlines a strict process that all Accredited Agents must adhere to when making an initial approach to a player. 18.1.2(d) clearly states that an approach includes direct contact or communication (whether in person, electronically or by other means, including via third party) with the player and/or their family. 

• Clause 18.1.5 of the Regulations further prohibits Accredited Agents from approaching a player or their parents or legal guardians while a player’s contact preferences on the Agent Portal are set to ‘no approaches at this time’. 

• Clause 18.1.6 prohibits players from being approached or communicated with via any form of social media until at least three days after an official approach is made by an Accredited Agent via the Agent Portal. 

Having met to discuss this matter, the AAB is satisfied that the conduct of Phoenix Management constitutes various breaches of these Regulations. 

The AAB has determined that a $3,000 financial sanction payable within 14 days is appropriate in the circumstances. 

Phoenix Management will be donating the financial sanction to the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation. 

The AFLPA and the AAB remind all current and future Accredited Agents, as well as parents and legal guardians of prospective AFL and AFLW players, that these matters are taken seriously. The Regulations quite deliberately regulate how and when Accredited Agents may approach young players in the talent pathway for the purposes of discussing their representation. 

The Regulations exist to protect the rights and wellbeing of those players as children, allow them to focus on other key priorities including their schooling and education, and help them freely decide their representation when they are ready to do so.