Gillon McLachlan: AFL chief executive to stand down at end of season

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan will stand down from his role at the end of the season, saying he has no regrets about his tenure but it is the “right time” to move on with the league in robust health.

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

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

“It’s an honour and a privilege to serve this game – the best game in the world,” McLachlan said. “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 his tenure, McLachlan will try to resolve four major outstanding 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.

McLachlan was previously the league’s general manager of commercial operations and chief operating officer. He took up the role of CEO 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 has also championed the