Veteran AFL executive Brian Walsh to depart AFL house this season
Andrew Dillon is set to lose yet another seasoned executive from league headquarters, with Brian Walsh announcing his resignation. JAY CLARK has the details.
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Veteran AFL corporate affairs and communications executive general manager Brian Walsh will depart the league mid-year after announcing his planned resignation.
Walsh has been in talks with AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon since midway through last season about stepping down from the role in July, 2025.
The Herald Sun understands Walsh informed friends early Wednesday that he was moving on.
The highly-respected senior figure has served the league across two stints — in 2006-2011 and 2019-2025 — and was crucial in helping steer the game through the COVID-19 crisis.
He also played a pivotal role in the introduction of the Tasmania Devils for 2028, which remains dependent on the construction of a world-class roofed stadium.
It is expected Walsh will still help consult to the AFL as a specialist adviser in the back half of the season.
Walsh has been a key conduit with major stakeholders including clubs, government, sponsors and the media in his time on the AFL executive.
The AFL has lost considerable experience from its executive team in recent years following the departures of former CEO Gillon McLachlan, commercial boss Kylie Rogers and chief operating officer Travis Auld.
Long-time general manager of corporate affairs Jay Allen is well-placed to step up for Walsh and is considered the early frontrunner to replace him permanently on the AFL executive.
Dillon lauded Walsh for his contribution to the game and in particular his leadership through some testing times during the pandemic.
“Brian has been a valued colleague, friend, mentor, sounding board, and a calm and trusted voice in the room when it mattered most,” Dillon said.
“He has been an outstanding leader and mentor across every level of our game — an advisor to club boards and executives, his care for the people around him, his deep respect for the game, and his ability to navigate complex issues with integrity and heart have left a lasting mark on the AFL.
“On behalf of everyone in the AFL industry, we thank ‘Walshy’ for everything he’s contributed to our game, and I’m grateful he’ll continue to support us in an advisory capacity upon his departure.”
Walsh has remained in the position over the past 12 months to assist Dillon in the early part of his reign as new AFL CEO.
Previously Walsh led communications at NAB and founded Bastion Reputation – a management firm he set up in 2014.
Walsh said he had a brilliant time serving the game of Australian rules across two decades.
“I love this industry and have had the pleasure of serving three incredibly talented CEOs and three chairmen who I have admired greatly and learned a lot from,” Walsh said.
“I have spent the last two years working closely with Dills as he transitioned into the CEO role and through his leadership and care for football at all levels, he will continue to drive the industry growth and achieve the targets of 10 million AFL/AFLW attendees, two million members and a million participants.
“The time is right to hand over the reins to someone who will support Andrew, Richard and the team to make Australia’s number one sporting code even bigger.”
Originally published as Veteran AFL executive Brian Walsh to depart AFL house this season
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