How do you sell when you’ve got no product? CEO of GWS Giants Dave Matthews faced that question in 2020, as the whole AFL competition stopped. He stuck to his mainstay values of empathy and resilience and when games re-started, it was in strange circumstances: players and officials spent nearly two months isolated in the AFL hub, and in the midst of restructuring. Dave says “in between training and playing we were having discussions with staff about finishing up”, while effectively living together. The juggernaut young club recorded impressive membership and despite the revenue difficulties have maintained their unique no-pokies position. Additionally, the Giant’s pioneering commitment to investment in AFLW and netball has continued.

To hear how this longstanding AFL leader is finding a way to thrive in the crisis of 2020, click here for the next episode of Heart & Hustle: