New AFL Chief: Gillon McLachlan

THE AUSTRALIAN

Collingwood v Carlton Friday May 2, 7.50pm MCG Fox Footy / 7mate 7.30pm Weather: Min 11 Max 14 Chance of rain 90%: 10-20mm Wind: SW 18kph Betting: Collingwood $1.26 Carlton $3.90

GILLON McLachlan has inherited the role of the most powerful administrator in Australian sport, with the announcement of his appointment as AFL chief executive.
Following an extensive executive search, the AFL Commission appointed McLachlan less than two months after longstanding CEO Andrew Demetriou announced his resignation, with a departure at the end of the season.
The announcement was made at a press conference at AFL headquarters this morning by commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick.
Demetriou is now set to leave sooner, with a very short handover period expected.
McLachlan has been a red-hot favourite to become the league’s new boss since he rejected the NRL’s chief executive role.
He admitted he faced some immediate challenges, including improving structures at the game’s weaker clubs and emphasising engagement with the fans.
“Ultimately I will be a different leader to Andrew — there’s only one Andrew,” he said.
“It will mean that I take a different approach.
“It’ll mean we’ll have a different approach to the way we do business in here, the shape and structure of the team will change.
“But I think it’s essentially consolidating and extending the work that came under Andrew’s tenure.”
South Australian-born McLachlan joined the AFL with Demetriou in 2000, rising to the executive three years later and has been groomed as Demetriou’s successor for three years.
Unlike Demetriou, McLachlan did not play the game at the highest level but joined the league as an amateur footballer with University Blues.
He filled in as CEO for two months in 2012 when Demetriou went on long service leave, and has also served as chief operating officer and acting head of football operations.
He has played key roles in the major AFL projects of recent years including the addition of the Gold Coast Suns and GWS Giants to the competition, and setting up the AFL media department and the renegotiated broadcast deals.
He also oversaw the investigation into Melbourne’s tanking allegations and headed last year’s negotiations with Essendon over its controversial supplements program.
It’s believed he has the support of the majority of AFL clubs, including Collingwood president Eddie McGuire and his North Melbourne counterpart James Brayshaw.
McLachlan, also president of the Victorian Polo Club, was educated at Adelaide’s prestigious St Peter’s College.
He went on to study commerce in the city of churches before adding a law degree at Melbourne University.
He later worked as a management consultant for multinational company Accenture.
He has long been regarded by the code’s governors as the rightful successor. Collingwood president Eddie McGuire told The Australian in March that continuity was vital at the top level of AFL administration.
“Gillon would be ideal as the heir apparent unless someone spectacular comes along,” he said.