Josh Mahoney steps away amid major shake-up at AFL house

Amid a major shake-up in the AFL’s executive ranks, footy operations boss Josh Mahoney has told the league he is walking away from his post.

AFL football performance boss Josh Mahoney has decided to step away amid the major shake-up at league headquarters.

The Herald Sun can reveal the former football boss at Melbourne and Essendon has resigned from the AFL to pursue other opportunities.

Mahoney worked in talent, umpiring and football operations in his two years at the league but will depart docklands as former Brisbane Lions CEO Greg Swann prepares to take over as new football boss.

The move continues the major changes at AFL House which include the acquisition of former Sydney Swans’ CEO Tom Harley as the league’s new chief operating officer and Swann as new football boss.

Laura Kane, who was in charge of football, was shuffled into a lesser role in charge of state leagues, concussion and mental health across AFL and AFLW.

Josh Mahoney, right, pictured with Laura Kane and Geoff Walsh, will step away from his role at AFL house. Picture: Michael Klein

The appointments of Harley and Swann have been lauded by clubs who are thrilled the two highly-experienced and popular former club chiefs will add significant acumen and support for CEO Andrew Dillon after a turbulent year.

Clubs had expressed the strong view to the league it needed to bolster Dillon’s executive team amid increasing frustrations with recent decisions including the Lachie Schultz umpire fiasco, Ken Hinkley’s $20,000 fine, and the handling of Willie Rioli’s threat to Bailey Dale.

But clubs are confident matters will stabilise at AFL House and have already been pleased with soft cap increases last week.

Mahoney played 97 AFL games for Port Adelaide, Collingwood and Western Bulldogs and was respected for his work helping set up Melbourne’s list for its 2021 premiership win.

But it has been a difficult year for Mahoney and Kane who led football operations over the past year before the call to change up the department.

Mahoney with South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas, Zac Bailey and Jy Simpkin during Gather Round. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

Dillon thanked Mahoney for his contribution.

“Over the past couple of weeks, we have been in discussions with Josh about the future direction of the football department,” Dillon said.

“With two new executive roles now in place to oversee football, Josh felt now was a good time to depart.

“His departure will allow his team to focus on the continued execution of both seasons and provide a clear runway for Greg Swann to lead the football performance team when he begins on 21 July.

“Josh started at the AFL nearly two years ago and brought with him extensive experience as a premiership winning player and as a club administrator leading the football departments at Essendon and Melbourne.

“During his time at the AFL, Josh has played a pivotal role in leading key areas of the football department including umpiring, talent and competition operations and his leadership and work on the competitive balance review was vital as we delivered this important piece of work to our clubs.

“Josh also played a key role in leading football innovation projects including ball tracking technology.

“I want to sincerely thank Josh for his leadership, expertise and contribution during his time at the AFL and wish him every success in the next chapter of his career.

“He has had a long career within the AFL and I hope he continues to contribute to the game in some way into the future.”

Originally published as Josh Mahoney steps away amid major shake-up at AFL house