AFL NSW-ACT chief executive Sam Graham says the sport has never been stronger

Graham was in Wagga this week performing a number of duties from meeting with councils to attending girls Auskick sessions.

The man who oversees AFL in the state could not be happier with how the game is travelling.

"We're really pleased. I'm not sure footy's ever been in a stronger position," Graham said.

"We've got another solid year of growth. We've got a two per cent growth in community footy and four per cent growth in Auskick. We've got girls Auskick and youth competitions starting, obviously working collaboratively with netball.

"From a talent perspective, we've got great representation on lists. In the elimination final on Saturday you've got Harry Himmelberg, Zac Williams, Jacob Hopper, Harry Perryman, Matt Suckling...great representation from a talent perspective.

"You have Alyce Parker first round pick for the Giants team, Liam Delahunty went down to the national combine so from a talent perspective I think it's really strong.

"The AFL is also working really collaboratively with clubs around facilities. Making sure we've got great environments is really important to us and the clubs in this region have been terrific and really proactive in a lot of their facilities developments and the AFL has come to the party to support with investment to make sure those environments are really strong."

AFL NSW-ACT is in the closing stages of the AFL Riverina Competitions Review, being conducted by David Burgess.

The proposed recommendations were handed down last month and Graham is happy with the direction the code is headed in the Riverina.

"The review is ongoing but it's been a significant level of consultation over a number of months now, starting last year," he said.

"Face to face consultation, surveys, an independent consultant involved, the AFL Riverina board have been terrific, led by Michael Irons, they are doing a really great job of just really working with clubs and understanding their issues and challenges and making sure that we've got a community footy structure that sets us up for growth but also for sustainability. So clubs can continue on into the future and play at a level that suits them but also can cater for clubs that are growing in growth areas like Wagga and Griffith.

"So so far really pleased with the preliminary recommendations. Clubs are in the process of providing written feedback to those recommendations. Again we'll have another look through that and we'll work with everyone to work through the implementation plan and the timing to make sure its done in a really measured and structured way and everyone's really clear with the direction. "

READ MORE