AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan is abandoning the gameโs top job after serving for eight long years.
McLachlan had previously stated his intention to resign before the pandemic, but faithfully remained at his post after assuring chairman Richard Goyder he would โhelp rebuild the competition.โ A press conference has been called for mid-morning, where the former is expected to outline his exit strategy alongside the latter.
According to The Age, while the 2022 seasonโs conclusion will mark the end of his accomplished tenure, the outgoing CEO is still keen to play a part in nominating his successor. Contenders within the AFL include football boss Andrew Dillon and fellow executive Travis Auld.
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Richmondโs Brendon Gale โ who interviewed for this gig back in 2014, the last time it was up for grabs when Andrew Demetriou departed โ is believed to be a heavy favourite among the clubs, while Western Bulldogs President Kylie Watson-Wheeler is also another person of โimmediate interest.โ
โMcLachlanโs announcement comes as the game has completed its sixth AFLW season,โ writes Caroline Wilson of The Age.
โOne of his key legacies along with a long series of broadcast agreements that placed the league at the helm of Australian sport.โ
Gillon McLachlan is also reportedly committed to completing the โcomplicated processesโ attached to new Collective Bargaining Agreements for both the womenโs and menโs competitions, as well as finalising new club-funding models and a fresh broadcast deal, which expires at the end of 2024.
More to come.
