AFL appoints Laura Kane as new Executive General Manager of Football

The AFL has announced the promotion of Laura Kane as its new Executive General Manager of Football.

Kane, who has filled the position on an interim basis since Brad Scott left the role last year to coach Essendon, will now be the AFL’s most senior sporting official as well as becoming one of the most senior deputies to incoming Chief Executive.

Kane has impressed club officials and the league with her performance in the role, having arrived at the AFL in November 2021 in charge of competition management after five years working in football operations with North Melbourne alongside Scott and then football manager Cameron Joyce.

Before joining the Kangaroos, Kane had worked as a lawyer with Waller Legal while being heavily involved in football with Melbourne University Women’s Football Club, where she served as President for five years and remained on the board until she joined the AFL.

She had played centre half forward for the club in her early 20s before coaching and then becoming an administrator.

Her appointment signals ongoing change in the AFL industry, with several women now holding key positions with three female presidents at AFL clubs, Kate Roffey, Kylie Watson-Wheeler and Sonja Hood, and Jen Watt the Chief Executive at North Melbourne. Kylie Rogers, Sarah Fair and Tanya Hosch are on the AFL executive.

Commenting on the appointment, incoming AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillion advised “this AFL season has continued throw up a diverse mix of challenges at our competition and Laura has led the football department team brilliantly in what has been a record year for our game.

"Laura's experience, expertise, temperament and resilience, paired with building a team of additional key football talent, is the right mix to lead the football department. As someone who was involved in both the day-to-day operations and strategic planning of an AFL men's program and also a key part of North Melbourne's successful bid for an AFLW team, Laura has brought to the AFL a keen sense of club experience and knowledge of the impact of AFL decisions.

"Football is core business for the AFL and we have a responsibility to the clubs, players, coaches, umpires and the fans to deliver the best environments, the best resources, and the best competitions so our game can continue to be the best game in the world."

Welcoming her permanent appointment, Kane told reporters "I'm really proud (and) I feel thankful that the industry has supported me from the outside to come in and work my way through a club, across men's and women's football, and have a wonderful experience in the process.

"To look around and see female presidents, female CEOs, female executives ... it's a really big moment for women in our game."

The League has also confirmed Josh Mahoney with work under Kane in his role of General Manager of Football Operations, two weeks after leaving his post at Essendon.

A new General Manager of Football Performance, who is yet to be appointed, will also report to Kane and look after game analysis, player movement, coaching, talent pathways, MRO, the Tribunal and the ARC, and AFL and AFLW All-Australian and award committees.

Images: Laura Kane, the AFL’s new Executive General Manager of Football (top) and Kane with incoming AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillion at Marvel Stadium today (below). Credit: AFL Photos.