AFL boss Andrew Dillon says football boss Laura Kane did a great job despite splitting her role after a series of poorly handled incidents

After heavy criticism of the AFL’s handling of several recent issues, the league’s chief executive has made some changes and explained just why.

AFL boss Andrew Dillon is adamant Laura Kane’s position as league executive was never under threat despite halving her role in response to a series of early season issues in 2025.

Following months of operational issues, questions about umpiring, the mishandling of a ban for Port Adelaide star Willie Rioli and other communication issues, Dillon removed a large chunk of responsibilities from Kane, who was the league’s football operations boss, as part of broad executive changes.

Kane is no longer responsible for MRO, umpiring, game analysis, player movement, laws of the game, innovation and club engagement.

But she will maintain responsibility for delivering the AFL, AFLW, VFL and VFLW competitions as well as a newly formed AFL healthcare and medical team, including the league’s mental health response and ongoing concussion management.

Addressing the changes on Friday, Dillon was adamant Kane was never going to walk away or be told to move from her role.

“No, Laura’s got so much to offer the industry and she’ll continue to do that,” Dillon said.

“She’s done a great job, it was a big, big role. Decisions affect people but they’re not personal, it’s actually about what’s the right thing for the AFL, not just for now, because the AFL’s in an incredible position at the moment.

Laura Kane’s role has been split. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

“We have record crowds. Last year for 2024, we had record crowds, record viewership, record participation, record club memberships, the largest surplus the AFL’s had and the highest revenue, and in 2025 we’re on track to exceed all of those metrics, so we’re in good shape now on those metrics.

“But we have to make sure that we’ve now got a structure that actually allows us to continue to be successful for the next three to five years, and that was the thinking behind the restructure that was announced yesterday.”

Dillon dismissed suggestions there was a lack of confidence in the AFL administration since he took over from Gillon McLachlan.

Kane particularly was criticised for the AFL’s handling of the situation with Rioli, who escaped penalty for a threat made to Western Bulldogs defender Bailey Dale before a history of similar incidents was revealed and he was banned for a week.

There were also issues with the blame game after umpires failed to stop the game when Collingwood’s Lachie Schultz was concussed against Fremantle.

“I think there are always issues in the AFL and the reason there are is because people care so much about the game,” he told SEN.

“The clubs in particular have views on what’s right and what’s wrong for them, but oftentimes they don’t necessarily have a unified position. So what the role of the AFL is to try and balance all of those priorities.

“I think in the end we get judged by our actions and the decision yesterday in the restructure allows us to then move forward, and I think we will have the confidence of the clubs to do that.

“Feedback from clubs is really important but ultimately we have to make the decisions and ultimately me as CEO has to make the call about the structure based on feedback but ultimately making the right decision with all the information we’ve got.”

She is still in charge of football operations under chief executive Andrew Dillon’s watch. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Dillon said he had been reviewing his leadership structure since taking over 18 months ago and the changes were part of that.

“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 No.1 sport in the country – by every measure.”

Originally published as AFL boss Andrew Dillon says football boss Laura Kane did a great job despite splitting her role after a series of poorly handled incidents