AFL news: The latest on Essendon’s search for a third chief executive this off-season

Respected Brisbane Lions CEO Greg Swann was expected to be a key target for the vacant Bombers role but he hasn’t heard from anyone at Essendon.

Newly-appointed senior coach Brad Scott, with Essendon President David Barham. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

Essendon’s raid on the AFL could continue with executive Travis Auld expected to feature on the shortlist of candidates to become the club’s next chief executive.

The Herald Sun has confirmed that Auld will be considered to take over at Tullamarine, only weeks after AFL football boss Brad Scott was prised out of league headquarters when he signed as Essendon’s new senior coach.

But the Bombers have not reached out to respected Brisbane Lions boss Greg Swann, who looks set to remain at the Gabba.

Essendon president David Barham has again outsourced the chief executive search to an external firm – but this time he has not gone back to Ernst and Young.

EY was recently paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to run the club’s exhaustive external review and also find Xavier Campbell’s replacement as chief executive.

However, that appointment turned disastrous when former NAB boss Andrew Thorburn resigned after just one day following revelations in the Herald Sun that he was also chairman of a church organisation that had likened abortion to the Holocaust.

While the Thorburn debacle was embarrassing, the Bombers were thrilled with EY’s detailed report from the review.

Xavier Campbell resigned as chief executive after failing to save coach Ben Rutten’s job.

Thorburn had interviewed multiple candidates, including Richmond’s chief marketing officer Simon Matthews, for Essendon’s chief executive job before deciding to pursue it himself.

Matthews was close to landing the job that was ultimately given to Thorburn, but this time around he is unlikely to contend for it.

In 2019 (pre-Covid) the AFL executive team, which includes Auld, was paid an average wage of $880,000.

Essendon’s new chief executive is likely to earn a similar pay packet, given that was roughly what Campbell was on.

Melbourne great Garry Lyon said on SEN on Thursday: “I think he (Swann) is being heavily chased and courted”.

But it’s understood Swann has had no contact from the Bombers, or their headhunters, in either of the two hiring processes.

Barham said on Tuesday: “The CEO recruitment process is well underway with a highly-regarded external search firm, and we anticipate having our new CEO in the coming weeks”.

But it’s believed that process is just starting and it is unclear whether any candidates have been contacted yet.

While a phone call to Swann could still come, it is expected that he will remain in charge of the Lions.

Auld is also in the running to replace AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan, who resigned in April but has not announced his departure date.

Travis Auld’s stocks are high after his incredible fixture work during the pandemic.

However, AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon is considered the frontrunner to replace McLachlan if the league opts for an internal appointment.

Should Auld land the Essendon job it would leave the AFL needing to replace him, Scott and McLachlan this off-season, and potentially Dillon as well if he wins McLachlan’s job.

Auld’s career as a football administrator started in Essendon’s finance department in 1996.

He progressed to become the club’s chief operating officer and in 2009 he departed to join Gold Coast as its inaugural chief executive.

In 2014 Auld joined McLachlan’s executive team.

Running a powerhouse club could enhance Auld’s resume – and hopes of one day taking over the AFL – should he be overlooked as McLachlan’s successor next year.

Auld is the AFL’s executive general manager of clubs, finances and broadcasting. He was the saviour of the 2020-21 seasons with his team’s remarkable work redrawing fixtures on the run as Covid ran riot.