Focus now turns to embattled CEO

Adelaide Crows CEO Steven Trigg speaks to the media at his press conference after the AFL Commission hearing at AFL House. Picture: Michael Dodge. Source: Getty Images

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THE Adelaide Football Club board will meet today to consider the long-term future of suspended chief executive Steven Trigg over his role in the Kurt Tippett affair.

Chairman Rob Chapman last night declared himself a "personal supporter" of Trigg, following the marathon nine-hour AFL Commission hearing in Melbourne on the Crows' draft tampering and player payment breaches.

But he refused to speculate on whether the chief executive would survive beyond his six-month ban from AFL football following his part in the club's darkest hour.

"You know that I am a personal supporter of Steven and at our club, we have a very deep and wide agenda for the next couple of years," Chapman said.

"I think he is the best possible person to lead us through that, but that is speculative - we'll just have to wait and see what the board finally decides over the next couple of days."

On the toughest day in Adelaide's 22-year history, the AFL Commission yesterday fined Adelaide $300,000 and stripped the Crows of their first and second-round picks in next year's draft. The penalties, listed in full on Page 7, are effective from January 1.

The bans mean Trigg is barred from any role with any club until July 1, Harper until March 1 and Tippett cannot play for his destination club - likely premier Sydney - before their Round 12 match in 2013. The officials cannot be paid by the AFL or clubs during their suspensions.

Chapman - who revealed he had learnt of the incriminating third-party deals in Tippett's contract from Harper on October 13 - had warned that a lengthy ban on Trigg and Harper could result in their sacking.

But the club that this year forced former recruiting boss Matt Rendell to resign despite not having any rule breaches against his name is yet to decide whether Trigg's role remains tenable. Rendell left the club in March over a racism row.

"That position back then with Matt was hard, it was hard for Matt and the club," Chapman said.

"Steven's position is somewhat different. A whole different set of circumstances, a whole different set of reasoning and we'll be assessing all of that over the next couple of days in more detail.

"Ditto Phil (Harper). The club board will meet soon, I've already convened that. We'll decide on our structure of management in the short term to continue the strength and leadership of the Adelaide Football Club.

"You can rest assured we have been planning that for some time and are advanced in our thinking. As soon as a decision is reached, we'll be making that announcement as soon as possible."

Trigg refused to take any questions after reading out a prepared statement, citing "legal constraints".

Tippett left AFL headquarters without speaking.

Armed with its high-powered legal team, Adelaide yesterday arrived at AFL House offering guilty pleas to all nine charges - related to salary cap breaches and draft tampering - faced by its current and former officials.

Tippett - who remains free to move to the club of his choice, the Sydney Swans - also pleaded guilty to the two charges against him.

Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick said it took into account the club's co-operation, guilty pleas and concession of its first two picks at this month's draft. He was also satisfied that despite keeping the Tippett deals secret for three years, the breaches were not "systemic".

"I want to send a message to all 18 clubs and all supporters around the country so that everybody understands our position," he said.

"Any club engaging in conduct prejudicial to the draft or a scheme involving payments to players in contravention of our rules will be penalised."

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