Veteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson says reports questioning AFL chairman Richard Goyder’s tenure and influence are “long overdue”.
Recent reports from the Herald Sun suggested support among some clubs for Goyder has dipped, while a club boss told the publication that factions had evolved within the commission.
Goyder took the job leading the AFL commission back in 2017, but faces a big decision in the coming months as to who replaces Gillon McLachlan.
The outgoing AFL CEO announced his impending resignation almost 12 months ago, but is reported to have delayed his departure at Goyder’s request to deal with several remaining issues.
Speaking to the Don’t Shoot The Messenger podcast, Wilson noted that media coverage of the AFL commission is changing.
“It’s just interesting that even the Herald Sun is starting to write about the fact that the AFL commission is divided, and I haven’t seen that before to such a degree,” she explained.
“(Reports say the commission is) divided over Gillon McLachlan’s replacement. There are rumours now that Richard Goyder has offered Gillon McLachlan a significant sum of money to actually stay on.
“Now I’m not sure whether that’s true or not. Surely he said he’s leaving at the end of April, that’s going to happen.
“But it’s just fascinating to see, it’s the first time I’ve read of divisions in the AFL commission.”
The commission appoints the AFL CEO, who then acts as the public face of the league and is responsible for the operating performance of the competition.
The AFL commission currently comprises of eight commissioners and two vacancies remain.
Wilson again implored the commission to appoint more “football people” and suggested a leading candidate for Goyder’s successor.
“I’ve been railing for nearly two years, since the time there have been two casual vacancies on the AFL commission that have never been filled, that we need more football people on the football commission,” she continued.
“You’re hearing Robin Bishop’s name a lot, he’s a commissioner at the moment being touted as potentially the next leader.
“But I’m really interested in (how there’s been) a lot of talk of Richard Goyder’s performance which I think is long overdue, long overdue.
“Nothing wrong with the man as a person, but I just don’t like his style of chairmanship and I don’t think it’s worked.”
Goyder’s predecessor, Mike Fitzpatrick, held the role for a decade.
McLachlan will leave after Round 5 of the AFL season. Numerous potential successors both in and out of AFL House have been floated as options, yet the commission is still yet to formalise an appointment.