Retiring Port Adelaide captain Erin Phillips and former Geelong legend Joel Selwood will join the AFL's Football Operations department next year, with the premiership captains to take on part-time roles under footy boss Laura Kane

Premiership Captains in their own right, with more than 400 games combined, Phillips and Selwood will be specifically focused on the on-field football product and player engagement with the role supporting the football operations department relating to Game Analysis, Talent Pathways, Player Movement and Player Engagement across both AFL and AFLW.
 
“I am so pleased that we have secured the knowledge, insight and experience of two of our games most respected leaders to work within our footy department,” AFL Executive General Manager Football Laura Kane said.
 
“Erin and Joel’s on-field achievements speak for themselves; I am very much looking forward to them joining our recent appointments in Josh Mahoney and Geoff Walsh and making an immediate impact to our broader AFL Football operations team.”
 
Erin Phillips said she was excited for the opportunity.
 
“I’m really excited about the opportunity to support the AFLW and continue to grow our great game for women across Australia. I’m fortunate to learn under the guidance of Laura Kane and her team. Footy has always been my passion, I owe so much to the game so I am grateful to be able to continue to contribute back to the game I love.” Phillips said.
 
Joel Selwood said he was looking forward to being involved in footy from a different perspective.
 
“I look forward to working in at the AFL especially with the team lead by Laura Kane. The game of AFL I have always loved and now it’s time to help it continually grow from a different seat which I can’t wait for.” Selwood said.