AFL CEO search: What’s next for the overlooked candidates and Gillon McLachlan?
The AFL has finally locked in its next CEO. But where does that leave all the big names involved in the process? See what’s next for the overlooked candidates.
The AFL CEO race has been run and won with Andrew Dillon stepping into the biggest job in the game from October.
But what’s next for the other key players?
See where the outgoing CEO and the overlooked candidates stand after the decision.
GILLON MCLACHLAN
The outgoing AFL boss is staying in his chair until the end of the season but will be considering his next move. He is believed to be out of the race to lead Brisbane’s Olympic Games but could now come into the frame for the CEO role with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation.
BRENDON GALE
Viewed by many as very unlucky to miss out on the AFL’s biggest job. A practised lawyer, he has served as Richmond chief executive since August 2009. Originally from Tasmania, there is a push for Gale to lead the league’s planned 19th team on the Apple Isle. He is also likely to be pursued to be Dillon’s right-hand man as football boss at AFL House.
TRAVIS AULD
The chief financial officer and general manager of broadcasting and clubs recently interviewed for the role of Australian Grand Prix CEO, indicating an exit from the AFL could be on the horizon. Auld has been at the AFL since the end of 2014, after serving five years as chief executive officer of the Gold Coast Suns. He has been negotiating a new Collective Bargaining Agreement for AFL players on behalf of the league.
KYLIE WATSON-WHEELER
The Western Bulldogs president emerged as a late contender for the AFL’s top job and was believed to have been favoured by AFL Commission chairman Richard Goyder. Missing out is unlikely to change much. She is the senior vice president and managing director of The Walt Disney Company for Australia and New Zealand.
KYLIE ROGERS
A former national sales director for Channel 10, Rogers joined the AFL as General Manger of Commercial in December 2017. She spent almost three years in that role, before taking on a new title of Executive General Manager Customer and Commercial. Highly rated at league headquarters, Rogers is not going anywhere.
TOM HARLEY
A rising star in AFL ranks, Harley has built an impressive career since finishing his playing days with Geelong in 2009. He spent time as general manager of AFL NSW/ACT, before joining Sydney as head of football in November 2014. Harley spent four years in that role before stepping up as Swans chief executive in December 2018. He shapes as one of the top choices to take Dillon’s old role as AFL football boss.
DAVID MATTHEWS
The Greater Western Sydney chief executive was interviewed last year as part of the process to find a new AFL chief executive. He was previously the general manager of national and international development at the AFL, before joining the Giants in November 2011.
GOYDER DEFENDS EXTENDED CEO SEARCH
AFL Commission chairman Richard Goyder has swatted away criticism over the time it took to find a new chief executive after a “competitive process” which ultimately recommended Gillon McLachlan’s right-hand man.
Goyder confirmed Andrew Dillon’s appointment on Monday, some 384 days after McLachlan announced that he was stepping down last April.
“The most important thing is the outcome and the outcome is what we’ve announced today,” Goyder said.
“There’s been a few other things that have been a priority for the AFL which have been incredibly important for the game. I don’t think we’ve lost any momentum over the period. The leadership that Gill has shown has been exemplary and the AFL is in great shape.”
Amid reports of agitation among clubs over the league’s protracted process, Goyder said “every club president has been absolutely supportive of ensuring that we make the right appointment”.
Goyder, who has been chairman of the AFL Commission since 2017, said he had no immediate plans to move on from his own position following Dillon’s appointment.
“My role is to allow the commissioners to give Andrew as much support as we can and then in due course there will be appropriate succession at Commission level as well and I’m sure that will be as seamless as this will be,” he said.
The AFL Commission is looking for a new member, with Leigh Matthews among those to have been sounded out.
Fremantle great Matthew Pavlich and former Sydney boss Andrew Ireland have also been linked to the role.
“Two or three years ago I was given a hard time for having too many commissioners and now it’s the other way around,” Goyder said.
“If you look back over history, the Commission has had seven or eight commissioners. We have seven commissioners at the moment. We are looking to bring someone on with some football expertise and we’ll deal with that as soon as we can sensibly do that.”
TEAM DILLON: WHO WILL JOIN NEW CEO AT HQ?
Jon Ralph
AFL chief executive-elect Andrew Dillon will aggressively pursue Brendon Gale for a wide-ranging football role that could ultimately see the Richmond chief executive succeeding him as the league’s boss.
Dillon was on Monday handed the reins to the AFL as he seeks to continue the league’s extraordinary surge as the nation’s most popular code.
Finding a senior club-based figure to head up the football portfolio Dillon has held in recent seasons will be his first priority given the league has already named Stephen Meade as his replacement as legal counsel.
Dillon is understood to be keen to assess Gale’s interest in that football role as the executive general manager of football despite Gale being overlooked for the AFL CEO role by the AFL commission.
If Gale is not interested in the widespread role, Sydney chief executive and former Geelong captain Tom Harley is also a person of interest for the AFL.
Gale could position himself as the man who implements a range of list concessions and talent provisions in the state where he grew up.
Then with Dillon believed to be desperate to make significant change within the AFL — but not outlive his welcome as CEO — 54-year-old Gale would be better placed to succeed him if he proved a success as the league’s football boss.
Or after several years in that football role Gale could then make the transition to the CEO of Tasmania’s side as it makes its introduction into the league as early as 2027.
If Gale ultimately decided to take up that role it would be a period of profound change at Punt Road given the departure of president Peggy O’Neal, with leaders Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin expected to retire at season’s end.
Rising AFL staffer Laura Kane, the league’s competition manager, has been appointed as the league’s interim executive GM of football.
Kane could be a contender for that executive general manager role or the secondary football management role vacated by new Essendon coach Brad Scott which has not yet been filled.
Dillon’s priorities will include consistent support for the four northern-states clubs (Sydney, GWS, Brisbane, Gold Coast) as they make clear they need more AFL support to thrive.
The league will face challenges balancing its focus on the new Tasmanian team with northern-states investment, but Dillon has pledged to ensure he gives unyielding support for the teams in Sydney and Queensland.
Dillon will also attempt to improve the league’s communication with AFL clubs that have grown frustrated in recent months with the league’s governance and process to replace McLachlan.
Clubs believe the league has ignored them over recent rule changes including the AFLW season structure and trade rules, with Dillon known to have strong relationships with clubs.
He is also believed to be keen to ensure the AFL’s culture within headquarters is impeccable as he makes clear that he will be prepared to shake up AFL House if needed in coming months.
Dillon will also make his own assessment of the league’s executive team and senior management positions and could end up making significant changes within AFL House.
“We want to be a truly national sport overseen by a truly national organisation, we want to keep the elite games as spectacular as possible,” Dillon said on Monday.
“At the same time, we’ve got to be financially robust. And we’ve got to continue to grow. And as importantly, it’s got to be a safe place. So we want to be safe. Culturally safe, and also safe from a physical point of view. So we’re going to continue to put the health and safety of all our players and participants into the forefront,” Dillon said.
AFL commission boss Richard Goyder foreshadowed Dillon’s evaluation of the league’s structure as he introduced him as the new AFL boss on Monday.
“We’ve got significant momentum as a code. Given the spectacular interest in and success of the recent Gather Round and record attendances over the first six rounds, it’s important we continue that momentum as we move to new leadership with the AFL.
“So during the transition period, Andrew will also evaluate the broader structure of our organisation to set us up for success, with an enhanced focus on ensuring the game remains affordable and accessible to our fans, as well as ensuring community football, umpiring and the AFLW remain strong.”
More Coverage
GWS star wants out: Free agent poised for SA switch
One of GWS’ star free agents has told the club he wants out amid links to South Australia.
Free trade tracker: Every player linked with your club
Trade requests, the latest rumours and every player linked with your club. Stay across every big AFL trade story and see who could be on the move in our Trade Tracker.