By Sam McClure
The AFL’s headhunter has begun contacting senior industry figures, seeking their feedback on the leading candidates in the search for Gillon McLachlan’s successor as AFL CEO.
Sources with knowledge of the discussions said New York-based consultancy firm Spencer Stuart, which will charge the AFL close to half a million dollars in fees, has rung several club presidents, CEOs and former high-ranking league officials, asking who they believe would be capable of replacing McLachlan.
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan with commission chairman Richard Goyder after he announced he is vacating the CEO’s role.Credit: Getty Images
Former Collingwood president and media mogul Eddie McGuire has also received a phone call.
The man on the other end of the phone is Jeremy Fogarty, a New Zealand-educated, Melbourne-based consultant with Spencer Stuart.
Fogarty specialises in mining, agriculture and biotechnology and earned an arts degree with first-class honours in history from Canterbury University in Christchurch.
A shortlist of sorts has emerged off the back of the conversations, as the names are mentioned by most industry figures.
Senior AFL figures Travis Auld and Andrew Dillon remain hot favourites internally, while Richmond CEO Brendon Gale is the resounding choice according to the majority of clubs.
Gale’s Sydney counterpart, Geelong premiership captain Tom Harley, has been approached by Spencer Stuart.
Harley is seen as one of the emerging stars in the AFL’s CEO ranks and is highly respected within the industry.
The stocks of Patrick Delany, CEO of Foxtel, have risen inside AFL headquarters in recent weeks.
Delany has been rising up the ranks at Foxtel since starting as a digital director in 2002 and his intimate knowledge of broadcast arrangements has made him an attractive candidate.
Patrick Delany is considered a strong candidate for the position of AFL CEO. Credit: Getty Images
For similar reasons Disney Australia boss and Western Bulldogs president Kylie Watson-Wheeler is also seen as a legitimate candidate.
Watson-Wheeler is highly respected at Disney for her leadership skills and has expertise in streaming services. The AFL has recently been in discussions with various streaming platforms ahead of a new broadcast deal.
According to industry sources who have spoken with Spencer Stuart, the dark horse remains Melbourne Cricket Club boss Stuart Fox.
Fox, who was chief executive at Hawthorn when the club won its premiership three-peat under Alastair Clarkson, is seen as a cool head under pressure who is well versed in club-based issues, stadia and memberships.
The search for McLachlan’s successor comes at a hectic time for the AFL, which is also trying to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement for the players as well as its next broadcast agreement.
When announcing his plans to step down, McLachlan stated he would complete both sets of negotiations, and arrive at a decision for the future of a Tasmanian team before finishing his tenure.
Auld, who AFL sources said had been groomed for the CEO position in the past two seasons as McLachlan took a step back during COVID-19, has long been considered the leading internal candidate.
However, the usually media-shy Dillon, the league’s head legal counsel, has shot to equal-favouritism in recent months.
But new Carlton boss Brian Cook, who was heavily linked to the role in 2014 when Andrew Demetriou was departing, believed McLachlan’s replacement should come from the clubs.
“They are both very good, but if you asked me for my preference, I would say someone from one of the AFL clubs,” Cook told 3AW this week.
“I would probably endorse someone who has good football experience, good football business experience, so therefore someone probably from one of the AFL clubs.”
The interview process is yet to begin.
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