AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan to step down at end of season

AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan has today announced that he is to stand down from his role at the end of the current Premiership season, saying that it is the “right time” to move on with the sport in robust health.

The South Australian, who has been in the AFL’s top job for eight full seasons, intended to step away before COVID-19 hit, but vowed to stay on and help guide the code through the pandemic.

At a press conference this morning, McLachlan fought back tears as he confirmed this season would be his last in the role.

Commenting that he has no regrets about his tenure, McLachlan stated “it’s an honour and a privilege to serve this game.

“The responsibility has never been lost on me and I feel good that the game is in better shape now than when I took over, but with the scoreboard that will be for others to judge.

“I’m leaving now because it feels right, right from the AFL, right for my family. The AFL is in incredible shape and by whatever metric you assess it, I feel it is the right time.”

During the remainder of the season, McLachlan will try to resolve four major issues: a new broadcast deal, collective bargaining agreements for both the men’s and women’s competitions, a new club funding model and plans for a Tasmanian team.

Previously the AFL’s General Manager of Commercial Operations and Chief Operating Officer, McLachlan took up the role of Chief Executive in 2014, replacing Andrew Demetriou, and at the time spoke of having a “clear vision of where the game needs to go and how we’re going to get there”.

He will leave having secured a significant legacy, most notably after successfully guiding the game through the unprecedented logistical and financial disruption of the pandemic.

The 49-year-old’s key achievements during his AFL career have included the biggest broadcast deal in Australian sporting history, the full acquisition of Marvel Stadium, the launch the AFLW and expansion to 18 teams next season as well as navigating the code  through the pandemic.

AFL Chair Richard Goyder said he and the sport held mixed feelings about the decision, which he learned of at the weekend.

Goyder advised “from my point of view and the Commission’s point of view it would be correct to say that we’re not happy with that decision but we are completely supportive of it, if you get that sense.

“Gill has always said to me that he wanted to go at the top of his game, at the time of his choosing and when the AFL was in as good a shape as it can be.

“And I think that’s fair play, and the Commission thinks that’s fair play, and certainly fair for him and his family. He’s done an outstanding job.”

Goyder pointed to record numbers in participation, membership, attendance, broadcast deals and viewership that the AFL enjoyed during McLachlan’s tenure, along with growth in NSW and Queensland, and the expansion of the men’s game.

He added “girls and women in the game with 600,000 participants now

“The investment in facilities, not just at the elite level but throughout the community which is a massive legacy.

“Competitive balance has been a huge issue and continues to be something that we really aspire to in the AFL. Any team on any day. I think that is part of Gill’s legacy.”

Attention now turns to his successor, with the recruitment process - in which McLachlan said he will not be involved - to begin in the following days. Richmond FC Chief Executive Brendon Gale and current AFL executives Andrew Dillon and Travis Auld are seen as being among the potential candidates.

Speaking of the succession process, McLachlan concluded “Richard and the commission, it is their decision to make.

“I feel absolutely certain about that whoever replaces me will be completely different. They will have to bring their own style and be their own person, man or woman.”

Image: AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan at today's press conference.