AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan will step down from the role at the end of this season.
It is understood McLachlan will announce the move at a press conference with AFL chairman Richard Goyder at 11.30am.
McLachlan had made clear in recent months he was happy in the role and keen to get the league back on track as it exited two painful seasons of Covid-interrupted football.
But McLachlan will move on after taking over the role in April 2014, having secured a significant legacy in his time in charge.
McLachlan fast-tracked the AFLW competition which will grow to 18 teams by August as well as navigated the Covid storm while ensuring games were played in 2020 and 2021.
He also helped underpin the game’s finances as the league borrowed against their investment in Marvel Stadium to ensure no club went under despite the disastrous first season of Covid.
He told the Herald Sun earlier this year he would know when it was time to move on.
“One day I will wake up and feel it’s time and who knows when that is?’’
“Our finances are going to be fine, we’ve got no debt, and we’ll make a good profit this year, so we’ve got through the financial element. Now it’s investment decisions to make around players, clubs, game development, infrastructure, and they will be made.
“And it’s just getting the confidence back in the game. We’ve got to get people going again and we’ve got to get people playing again. We’ll have a good indication next week. We have to get out of our 5km bubbles and get back to the things that make this city, this country, our game great.’’
Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale would be the early favourite from club ranks to take over from McLachlan, with AFL executive Travis Auld also a contender for the job.
Clubs would want someone from clubland to succeed McLachlan given the lack of AFL experience on the AFL commission, with Gale’s impeccable resume and strong moral compass his chief virtues.
