The AFL has announced that Andrew Dillon will be the next CEO of the competition.
Dillon - who will take over from Gillon McLachlan - is believed to be within a transition period which will see him assume the role at the end of the men's 2023 season on October 2.
All 18 club chief executives were summoned for a meeting at 8:30am on Monday morning to announce McLachlan's official replacement, according to journalist Jon Ralph.
8.30am phone hook up for AFL club chief executives. Andrew Dillon expected to be announced as the new AFL chief executive to replace Gill McLachlan. More to come @theheraldsun https://t.co/1vhRbl23Dd
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) April 30, 2023
McLachlan initially said he'd leave at the end of the 2022 season but, after multiple delays - and the failed efforts of Richard Goyder to encourage him to stay - the 50-year-old will finally walk off into the sunset, likely in October.
Following the ongoing Hawthorn racism investigation, the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the license and funding for Tasmania's stadium, not to mention the AFL's inaugural Gather Round, the 50-year-old decided to stay on longer than previously thought.
MORE: Gather Round confirmed in SA until 2026
However, after the Federal Government agreed to fund the remaining money needed for Tasmania to build a stadium - a proviso that would help secure the 19th AFL license - and the extraordinary success of Gather Round, McLachlan is set to hand over the reins.
Dillon felt "honoured and truly humbled" by his new appointment, as the game enters a new era.
"I am honoured and truly humbled to lead the greatest game in the world into its next phase," Dillon said in a statement on Monday.
"Football has been a defining part of my life and it is a privilege to be able to lead the industry in ensuring our game remains relevant, accessible and welcoming to all Australians.
"It is important that we continue to strengthen every part of our game, from the 18 AFL clubs, who all now have both AFL and AFLW programs, right through to the grassroots and I am looking forward to working with our AFL team, our clubs, our players and the wider industry to ensure our game expands its reach.
Who is Andrew Dillon?
McLachlan's replacement, Dillon, has been his second in command for his entire tenure that began at the start of 2014.
The Herald Sun also revealed that Richmond CEO Brendan Gale - who was overlooked for the AFL's CEO position - could be brought in as a deputy to Dillon.
Andrew Dillon is the AFL’s new chief executive elect. But there will be a transition period as Gill McLachlan works through the Hawthorn and CBA issues that could drag on until the end of the season. So he will remain at the helm for the season to come 👇 https://t.co/m26KXewedZ
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) April 30, 2023
Senior journalist Ralph thinks that with Gale's plan "to execute the vision for the 19th licence as a proud Tasmanian who has an intimate knowledge of the state’s challenges and opportunities," could bode well for the introduction of the 19th AFL team.
Dillon started his career at AFL house back in 2000 as the first ever in-house legal counsel and will soon leave the role of the executive general manager of football operations, legal and integrity and, general counsel.
He then worked his way up into a GM of legal and business affairs in 2004 before moving up into GM of national and international development and general counsel from 2011.
In 2013, Dillon stepped into GM of legal, integrity and compliance prior to a role responsible for the game development in 2017.
Lastly, he progressed to executive GM of football operations in July 2021.
The AFL will hold a press conference at 10:15am, where Andrew Dillon will be announced as the league's new CEO. @FOXFOOTY
— David Zita (@DavidZita1) April 30, 2023
Dillon also has a strong football background, featuring in VAFA's Old Xavierians Football Club for 290 games.
From 1989 to 2005, he was a part of six premierships and is a Life Member.
Stepping into Dillon's role will be general manager of competition management, Laura Kane while Stephen Meade has been appointed the AFL's general counsel.
There will be an announcement at 10:15am on Monday morning.
More to come.
