Gillon McLachlan to stay on as AFL Chief Executive until April next year

The Australian Football League (AFL) has advised that Gillion McLachlan will remain in his role as Chief Executive until April 2023.

McLachlan, who in April announced that he would stand down at the end of 2022 AFL season, is understood to have accepted a request from the AFL Commission to stay in into 2023.

As the AFL’s search for his replacement continues, McLachlan (pictured) has stayed on to resolve a number of key issues concerning the sport including the Hawthorn racism scandal, negotiations on the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), and the establishment of a 19th franchise in Tasmania, which was given provisional approval on 18th November.

Steering AFL into 2023, he will remain in the post until after the 'festival of football' celebration in round five of next season.

AFL staff and club presidents were informed about the change of plan by Commission Chairman Richard Goyder on Wednesday.

Goyder advised “it is important the AFL has continuity during this period as we continue to work through some incredibly significant and complex pieces of work for the industry.

“As you know, Gill initially committed to finishing at the end of the year, and I thank him for agreeing to stay in the leadership role for an additional period as we navigate through a critically important time.”

The AFL is expected to announce McLachlan's successor next year, with Goyder noting that the League had interviewed candidates from inside and outside the sport.

AFL executives Travis Auld, Andrew Dillon and Kylie Rogers have all been interviewed, as have club chief executives Brendon Gale (Richmond), Tom Harley (Sydney) and Dave Matthews (GWS).