North Melbourne tap into Andrew Demetriou in hunt for new CEO

North Melbourne have canvassed the advice of former AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou on potential candidates to replace departing CEO Ben Amarfio, as the club continues their search for a new boss.

The 61-year-old who finished up as league boss in 2014 met with club president Sonja Hood and offered to assist those at the club where he played 103 games between 1981-87 before he spent a season at Hawthorn.

Hood has been meeting with many people within the industry, having been on a steep learning curve in her first year in the job that saw senior coach David Noble part ways with the club, Amarfio resign, the No.1 pick Jason Horne-Francis request a trade after just one season at the club, and the appointment of four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson.

Demetriou is well-connected in the industry, having worked his way from head of the AFL Players’ Association to AFL football operations boss before taking over as AFL CEO in 2003, having established a successful business career post-playing.

Ben Amarfio resigned as North Melbourne chief executive in September.Credit: Getty Images

Amarfio finishes up in the role on October 31, having resigned at the start of September after a three-year stint that saw the club replace two coaches and appoint Clarkson as their new coach.

He was lauded for his work in developing the Arden Street precinct, however difficulties in getting the football program on track made his departure likely after Clarkson was appointed.

Fremantle sources said Dockers’ football manager Peter Bell would be remaining with the club, after having been linked to the North Melbourne role and telling 3AW last month he’d be open to a chat. The Kangaroos have remained tight-lipped about other candidates.

The potential for Demetriou to become a candidate himself has not been discussed and sources close to the situation said Demetriou would not consider that question unless North Melbourne decided to put him on their radar for the job. Sources said his intention was to offer any support his former club required.

Gillon McLachlan and Andrew Demetriou.Credit: Jesse Marlow

Clarkson, who was a teammate of Demetriou’s at North Melbourne, is due to start on November 1.

He is likely to start then despite an AFL investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct towards some players on Hawthorn’s playing list and in particular affecting First Nations players, their families and/or their intimate partners. The terms of the reference have now been set and Clarkson is keen to participate in the investigation with mediation one of the possible outcomes.

Respected football manager Todd Viney has already started in his role at North Melbourne and was involved during trade period.

The Kangaroos are not the only club searching for a new CEO, with Essendon attempting to replace Xavier Campbell for a second time. Initial appointment Andrew Thorburn resigned little more than 24 hours after accepting the job, after the club decided his role as chair of City on the Hill church conflicted with his role as Essendon CEO.

Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.