Embattled AFL commission chairman Richard Goyder will not be attending any finals matches this weekend

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has explained why embattled AFL commission chairman Richard Goyder will not be attending any finals matches this weekend.

Richard Goyder will not attend any AFL finals matches this week. Picture: Getty Images

Embattled AFL commission chairman Richard Goyder was a no-show at Thursday night’s Collingwood-Melbourne clash and will not be attending any finals matches this weekend.

League chief executive Gillon McLachlan said Goyder was attending his son’s wedding in Broome.

Goyder, who also chairs crisis-stricken airline Qantas, famously missed the 2020 AFL grand final at the Gabba due to other commitments.

“He (Goyder) was in Broome … I think everyone understands family is a priority, whenever it was set a year ago that the timing was by the daughter-in-law, I don’t know, but I think people understand,” McLachlan said.

Friday’s Herald Sun revealed disgruntled club bosses had begun canvassing replacement options in the event Goyder decides to leave the AFL or is forced out as a result of the growing Qantas situation.

Richard Goyder will not attend any AFL finals matches this week. Picture: David Geraghty

McLachlan told 3AW on Friday: “My view is clearly there is a discussion around Qantas, as it plays out into the AFL … the game has never been better … and if you are chairman you get the negative flack if it’s bad and I think you’ve then got to get the credit for the upside”.

Asked about suggestions Goyder was “too close” to his chief executives, McLachlan said: “In the end, what chief executives need to succeed is the direction, the accountability and the confidence and support of the chairman and I know I get that from Richard.

“People have different views on style and everything else … but right now with the AFL in the shape that it’s in … the football is fantastic … and I think that Richard needs to get his right share of that,” he said.

Questions have also been raised over the AFL’s failure to send a representative to Thursday’s funeral service for foundation VFL commissioner Dick Seddon.

Seddon, a top commercial lawyer and former Melbourne Football Club CEO, played a key role in the introduction of the salary cap and club licensing agreements.

Collingwood president Jeff Browne, Melbourne chief executive Gary Pert and former AFL boss Ross Oakley were among those paying their respects at Christ Church in South Yarra.