Shortlist of Crows CEO contenders on the table to be considered

TODAY, the interviews that count begin in the Kingmaker Mark Ricciuto’s court to choose the next Adelaide Football Club chief executive.

My pictures of the week. Crows CEO Steven Trigg - last day at work. Walking with David Noble. Photo Sarah Reed.

TODAY, the interviews that count begin in the Kingmaker Mark Ricciuto’s court to choose the next Adelaide Football Club chief executive.

After 107 applications (from the latest count offered by Crows chairman Rob Chapman), it is now a shortlist with keen contenders who need to impress Ricciuto and directors Jim Hazel and Bob Foord to have their names presented to the full Adelaide board for approval as Steven Trigg’s successor.

So far, the major frontrunner has been former Port Adelaide chief executive Mark Haysman. But as the process has continued new names have emerged. Adelaide premiership defender Rod Jameson late last week was gaining currency.

The appointment is to be made in the next two to three weeks, according to Chapman.

And from the sound waves that have bounced off a satellite dish in Grenfell St there is a name that will stir memories of football past in SA — and impress for offering a substantial resume in sport, locally, nationally and internationally.

Greg Nichols. He is aged 55 (born January 6, 1959).

As a footballer, he played one VFL game with Geelong in 1979 against South Melbourne. He moved to Adelaide to play with SANFL club Glenelg where he chalked up 17 games and kicked 62 goals in 1984.

His sporting administration resume is based in racing — from 1993 when he entered the SA racing industry to become the chief executive of the SA Thoroughbred Racing Authority in 1996. From Adelaide, Nichols becomes general manager of Racing Victoria in 1998. From Melbourne, Nichols rises to world prominence as the chief executive of the British Horse Racing Board in 2002. He moves to Betfair in 2006 to become its managing director of sporting affairs. In 2012, Nichols returned to Racing Victoria as a board member.

Next Crows chief executive? Some say Nichols already is past the winning post.

Originally published as Shortlist of Crows CEO contenders on the table to be considered