AFL announces changes to executive team

AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon has announced a restructure of his leadership team, which will see a new Chief Operating Officer and a new Performance Executive join the League.

Changes in the sport will see long-serving Inclusion and Social Policy Executive Tanya Hosch depart the AFL after nine years, and General Counsel Stephen Meade no longer featuring as part of the League's executive team, although he will continue to report into Dillon.

Laura Kane's previous role as Executive General Manager (EGM) of football has been split in two, with Kane to remain on the AFL's leadership team as EGM of football operations.

Kane will oversee the delivery of the AFL, AFLW, VFL and VFLW seasons and will also supervise a newly formed health and medical team that will handle the AFL's response to mental health and concussion issues. She will also be the executive leading the AFLW as it celebrates its 10th season in 2025.

The AFL will recruit for a new EGM of football performance, who will be responsible for the Match Review Office, umpiring, game analysis and player movement, laws of the game, innovation, and the AFL's football engagement with its 18 clubs.

Other changes will see the League's integrity and security operations moved from the general counsel's portfolio to the new Chief Operating Officer, while the First Nations engagement and inclusion areas will be assigned to the reshaped corporate affairs portfolio in the wake of Brian Walsh's departure.

Advising that the growth of the game into a 12-month proposition meant the long-standing football portfolio was best handled by two executives, rather than one, Dillion (pictured above) explained “the game is the reason we exist; it is as big and as good as it has ever been, and the AFL football department must continue to evolve.

“It must be structured, resourced and led in a way that can ensure everyone - the clubs, players, coaches, umpires and officials can continue to perform at the highest possible level.

"Laura will continue to play a major leadership role within the AFL, but the overall responsibility has grown so much that the traditional leadership role for an individual executive in footy is no longer the best model.”

The AFL's search for its Chief Operating Officer and EGM Corporate Affairs is already underway.