Western Bulldogs legend Chris Grant has shocked the AFL community by announcing his departure from the club, ending a remarkable 31-year association as both a player and administrator. Grant’s decision to step down as executive director of football comes 12 months after a significant restructure of the Bulldogs’ football department, which had already reduced his involvement with the men’s program.
In 2023, a review led to the promotion of Matt Egan to the role of general manager of football operations, shifting the balance of power within the club’s leadership. As part of the restructure, Grant’s day-to-day connection to the team was significantly reduced, and Egan’s appointment meant that coach Luke Beveridge no longer reported directly to him. While Bulldogs chief executive Ameet Bains denied reports of any rift between Beveridge and Grant earlier this year, tensions between the two were apparent, particularly after Grant overruled Beveridge’s wishes to part ways with long-time assistant coach Rohan Smith. The decision, which came with the backing of Bains, marked a pivotal moment in the shifting dynamics within the club’s leadership.
Grant, who spent the majority of his career with the Bulldogs, reflected on his long and fulfilling journey with the club in a statement. “I’ve spent over half of my life with the club as a player and administrator and will cherish the many memories we have created together at the Western Bulldogs,” he said. “While the decision to pause and map out the next stage of my professional career has not been an easy one, I leave knowing the club is in a great position to succeed and write the next chapter in the amazing history of the red, white and blue.”
Grant’s departure marks the end of an era at the Bulldogs. His legacy stretches back to his playing days in 1990, when the club was still known as Footscray. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Grant became a club champion, and his impact extended beyond his playing career. In 2011, he joined the board, and in 2016, he was appointed football boss, overseeing both the men’s and women’s teams. Under his leadership, the club celebrated its first AFL premiership in 62 years in 2016, while the women’s team also claimed the title in 2018.
The club’s future under the leadership of Beveridge, now in his 11th season, remains uncertain as the Bulldogs prepare for the 2025 season. Despite the team’s strong roster, Beveridge has failed to guide the team to a final victory since 2021. The Bulldogs have never finished in the top four during his tenure, including during the 2016 premiership year when they went from seventh to claim the flag.
With several key players departing this off-season, including premiership heroes Jack Macrae and Caleb Daniel, as well as young star Bailey Smith, the Bulldogs enter a critical period. The club’s immediate future will be defined by how it navigates these changes and whether it can continue to build on its recent successes.
As for Grant, his decision to step away allows him to spend more time with his family and reflect on his long career. “I leave knowing the club is in a great position to succeed,” he concluded, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered by Bulldogs supporters for years to come. The future of his position within the club is still unclear, as questions remain about whether the Bulldogs will seek to fill the role of executive director of football.