Adrian Anderson resigns as AFL football operations manager

In another executive departure in advance of the 2013 AFL season, AFL Football Operations Manager Adrian Anderson has resigned.
Anderson came to the AFL in 2004 and helped restructure the on-field judiciary process and established the AFL's integrity unit.
Announcing Anderson's departure, AFL Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou paid tribute to his work saying he had played a major role in many of the game's reforms.
Demetriou stated "I would like to congratulate Adrian on his outstanding contribution to the AFL since 2004 and for his willingness to tackle challenging issues such as major reforms of the AFL tribunal system, changes to the laws of the game while trying to balance the views of players, coaches and the football public.
"He has also established a department dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the integrity of the game.
"Adrian has also made a positive contribution to our major strategies, including competition expansion, the establishment of the Gold Coast Suns and Greater Western Sydney Giants and to our current broadcasting arrangements.
"Adrian and his team are often second-guessed and subject to a great deal of public scrutiny and he has always handled this in a very professional way."
Anderson said he felt privileged to have held his position for the past nine years, adding "I have worked with some wonderful people at all levels of the game and am very grateful to Andrew and the commission for the opportunity I have had.
"I am proud in particular to be associated with the changes to the laws of the game which have kept it safe to play and great to watch; the overhaul of the tribunal system; the introduction of the Illicit Drugs Policy, the negotiation of free agency and a new CBA which balances the rights of players and the growth of the game, and the establishment of an integrity unit to underpin public confidence in our sport."
Anderson has been linked with the vacant chief executive position at North Melbourne while Demetriou said it was not known who would replace Anderson as Football Operations Manager.