Mike Fitzpatrick (footballer)  Michael Clifford Fitzpatrick (born 28 January 1953) is an Australian businessman, sporting administrator and former professional Australian rules football player. He was chairman of the AFL Commission (football's governing body) from 2007 to 2017. Fitzpatrick was raised in Perth and began his football career with in the West Australian Football League (WAFL). A ruckman, he played 97 games for the club between 1970 and 1974, playing in a premiership team in 1973 and winning the club's best and fairest award in his last two seasons. Fitzpatrick transferred to the Victorian Football League (VFL) for the 1975 season and represented until his retirement at the end of the 1983 season. He played in premierships in 1979, 1981, and 1982, and captained the club from 1980 to 1983. Fitzpatrick also represented both Western Australia and Victoria in interstate matches. A graduate of the University of Western Australia, Fitzpatrick interrupted his football career to study at St. John's College, Oxford, on a Rhodes Scholarship. After retiring from football he worked for the Victorian Treasury Department, and later worked in investment banking and funds management. Outside his commercial interests, Fitzpatrick served on the board of the Carlton Football Club from 1989 to 1995, and as chairman of the Australian Sports Commission from 1994 to 1997. He was appointed to the AFL Commission in 2003, and in 2007 replaced Ron Evans as its chairman. He retired from the position of chairman in April 2017 and was replaced by Richard Goyder. As chairman of the AFL Commission, Fitzpatrick's role or lack thereof, in the booing of Adam Goodes has been questioned. Fitzpatrick was born in Hastings, Victoria, but moved to Perth, Western Australia, at a young age. He attended Churchlands Senior High School from 1966 to 1970 (including as head boy in his last year), and went on to study at the University of Western Australia, graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in 1975. Fitzpatrick made his senior debut for Subiaco during the 1970 WANFL season, aged 17. He was tall and at his peak, and played as a ruckman. During the 1973 season, Fitzpatrick represented Subiaco at the Championship of Australia, played in the grand final victory over (the club's first premiership since 1924), and was awarded the Outridge Medal as the club's best and fairest player. He won a second Outridge Medal in 1974, in both years finishing just ahead of Peter Featherby. In total, Fitzpatrick played 97 games in his five seasons at Subiaco, kicking 77 goals.