Simon Lethlean appointed AFL football operations manager

THE AFL has named its replacement for Mark Evans, who quit as football operations manager to become CEO of the Gold Coast Suns.

NEW AFL football operations manager Simon Lethlean has indicated he will seldom tinker with the rules, happy with the “fast, skilful and exciting” football on show.

But Lethlean said he was prepared to do everything he could to lift scoring after two seasons of record low goal tallies.

Lethlean’s appointment was yesterday announced by AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan. He replaces Mark Evans, who left this week to become Gold Coast CEO.

But as flagged in the Herald Sun yesterday, McLachlan has restructured his executive to add three positions and extra portfolios for general counsel Andrew Dillon and Travis Auld.

And when finance guru Ray Gunston finishes sorting out the collective bargaining agreement, he will have the task of making money from Etihad Stadium. He is now ­responsible for infrastructure, major projects and investment.

Lethlean will retain the running of the AFL Women’s competition, Auld becomes chief financial officer and general manager of clubs, and new executive roles have been added in people, strategy and commercial portfolios.

Simon Lethlean presented as the new head of footy at the AFL pic.twitter.com/OgiDrBQ7Vw

— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) March 2, 2017

Lethlean, 41, played 40 games of reserves football at Hawthorn before playing in and coaching premierships at amateur club Old Xaverians.

After strong work with the AFL’s fixture, game development and the AFLW, he was the league’s obvious choice to replace Evans.

Yesterday Lethlean indicated he was not in favour of a drop in the interchange cap and said last year’s Grand Final showed the game was in excellent shape.

“I want our game to continue to be fast, skilful, exciting and unpredictable,’’ he said.

“The last game we saw was the AFL Grand Final between Sydney and the Dogs and it was a pretty fast free-flowing game. I doubt much needs to change now. We will see how the season unfolds.”

Simon Lethlean unveiled as the new football operations manager. Picture: AFL Media

Scoring in 2015 was the lowest since 1968. And last year teams scored only fractionally above the 2015 level.

“We love fast-paced footy and high scoring. I think we have always encouraged coaches and players to play that way,’’ Lethlean said. “We will work with them and support them with our rules to try to enhance scoring. The last game we watched was a spectacular match that resonated with all of Australia.”