Laura Kane’s role as football boss split in half in major shake-up of AFL executive ranks

The under siege AFL has responded to growing angst, confirming significant changes to its leadership team, including the role of Laura Kane.

The AFL has announced a major shake-up of its executive ranks after months of turmoil at league headquarters.

The biggest change will see Laura Kane’s role as executive general manager of football operations split in half.

A second GM of football performance is set to be appointed within weeks to help lead the key portfolio with the embattled Kane.

The new performance boss will be responsible for MRO, Umpiring, Game Analysis, Player Movement, laws of the game, innovation and club engagement.

While Kane will oversee the operations of the AFL, AFLW, VFL and VFLW, and the Coates Talent League as well as the league’s response to health and concussion.

“Laura will continue to play a major leadership role within the AFL, but the overall responsibility has grown so much that the traditional leadership role for an individual executive in footy is no longer the best model,” AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said.

Laura Kane and Andrew Dillon during the Dreamtime at the ‘G clash. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Dillon has also announced the immediate departure of long-term social and inclusion boss Tanya Hosch.

And changes have been made to the role of AFL general counsel Stephen Meade, who has overseen concussion and integrity.

As well as identifying a new senior football figure to sit alongside Kane, the AFL is also actively in the market for a new chief operating officer to support Dillon.

The sweeping changes come after the league’s mishandling of two major episodes involving Port Adelaide’s Willie Rioli and Collingwood’s Lachie Schultz and ongoing angst over umpiring inconsistencies, rule interpretations and match review officer verdicts.

Tanya Hosch, left. Picture: Michael Klein

The Herald Sun revealed in February that Dillon was in the market for a 2IC to help bolster his struggling executive team.

The yet-to-be appointed 2IC will take over the responsibilities of integrity investigations from Meade, who is no longer a member of the executive.

Meade has been the league’s most senior legal figure amid major class actions launched against the AFL and its clubs involving racism and concussion.

Several club CEOs including Fremantle’s Simon Garlick, Sydney’s Tom Harley and Western Bulldogs’ Ameet Bains have been linked to the position.

Dillon and Kane hosted a number of AFL coaches at Fitzroy pub The Builders Arms Hotel last week in a bid to appease growing tension between clubs and head office.

Veteran AFL corporate affairs boss Brian Walsh has already announced his imminent departure.

AFL commissioner Richard Goyder is also under pressure to abandon plans for a three-year extension with former Collingwood president Jeff Browne and Swans chairman Andrew Pridham being urged to make a run for the game’s top job.

Dillon said he had been reviewing his leadership structure since taking over 18 months ago.

“Footy is at the heart of everything we do, it has to be front and centre,” he said.

“It’s the reason people care, the reason they’re passionate, the reason they show up every week.

“My focus is making sure we keep working closely with our clubs, coaches and players to keep our game strong, and to ensure footy remains the number one sport in the country — by every measure.”

Hosch said in a statement: “I am extremely proud of what I have been able to achieve during my tenure with the AFL. Being in the organisation just ahead of the first bounce of AFLW was a huge and special honour that my entry coincided with.”

Originally published as Laura Kane’s role as football boss split in half in major shake-up of AFL executive ranks