The AFL has reportedly ticked off the Gold Coast Suns employing coach Damien Hardwick’s partner Alexandra Crow at the club after rival clubs raised questions.
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The league this week investigated the appointment of Crow, who previously worked at West Coast and Richmond – where she met Hardwick – in consumer and marketing roles.
The Age reports the league is satisfied with her employment at Gold Coast as an adviser on membership and marketing strategies.
Suns CEO Mark Evans said Crow was being paid at “market rates” according to the report, which also said the role was short-term.
“The scope of the role is small,” Evans said.
“We use her expertise strategically around consumer and commercial categories.”
Hardwick and Crow moved to the Gold Coast in late 2023, when he joined the club as senior coach, where she operates a consulting firm.
Restrictions on football department spending have tightened since Covid, playing a role in rival clubs questioning the league over the hiring.
Each club this season has a soft cap of $7.7 million, with 20 per cent of a senior coach’s salary permitted to be paid outside the cap.
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