But there's no way they'd want a Benny G running their circus, he's way to good for them. They prefer Toady's.
I am convinced Benny won't go there, he is destined for bigger and better things. Australia Post is one organisation for example.
I personally do think that the next CEO will be an outside appointment, and I include the clubs as well as AFLHQ in that grouping. That is healthy for the organisation. Sure you want someone with some footy exposure, but you want someone coming in with outside ideas as well. Given the length of his time with Richmond, even recognising his success with Richmond, it is a hard sell for Benny.
TBH, people are pretty harsh on Gil when it is all said and done. When he got the top job, the game was going through some tumultuous times, and the AFL board clearly thought that promoting someone from within was a better way to go. His first point of order would probably have been to extricate the AFL from the financial hook they were on for the GWS and GCS expansion. In this regard it is hard to judge how well he has done, although both clubs are still going and the AFL, outwardly, doesn't seem to be going broke.
I do know though that Gil is not well liked in AFLHQ by the rank and file. This is not necessarily an issue, especially if Gil's mandate was to make some uncomfortable decisions. The one thing you would think Benny could bring is the ability to galvanise. So if that is what they want, then Benny is your man.