The AFL have finally made their call on Gillon McLachlan’s successor to the AFL CEO position, with Andrew Dillon set to take the reins.
The long-serving AFL executive will officially take over as CEO on October 2, allowing McLachlan to transition out of the role for the remainder of the 2023 season.
Dillon beat out the likes of fellow AFL executive Travis Auld and Richmond CEO Brendon Gale to claim the role following an extensive interview process.
The incumbent CEO was honoured to accept the role having worked for the AFL for 23 years.
“I am honoured and truly humbled to lead the greatest game in the world into its next phase,” Dillon said via a statement.
“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.
“Every touch point in footy should be a positive and memorable one, from attending a match, to a parent signing their child up for Auskick for the first time, a player being drafted, or a community umpire debuting on a Saturday afternoon. Our game connects with so many, and I am driven to ensure we continue to make all these moments unforgettable.
“It is really important that we are a game for everyone, a game that is accessible, affordable and safe and a game where everyone feels welcome.
“Our AFL and community Clubs are the lifeblood of our game, and I will be club and community focused and committed to ensuring the game will be at the core of the AFL’s decision making.
“I believe in the power of football to connect people regardless of our background, gender or beliefs and want us to work to have footy in every home across the country.
“We play our elite competitions in every state and territory of Australia and we want to make sure that our game is the number one sport of choice for girls and boys and men and women all over Australia.
“The elite game across both men’s and women’s will be more entertaining, more spectacular and more popular than ever and will be played by the best and most diverse athletes – our mission is to be unrivalled in comparison to other sports and to develop a growing global interest.”
AFL Commission Chairman Richard Goyder said Dillon was the best person to take the role that McLachlan has held since 2014.
“Andrew has been a key leader and voice in every decision we have made as an organisation for many years, and he brings not only experience across both elite and community football but also a key involvement in our major broadcast and partnership deals and in developing and shaping the AFL’s response to a number of key social issues,” Goyder said via a statement.
“Andrew is a well-known and highly respected leader and has great support across the industry for his calm, considered and collaborative approach. To do this role, you need a genuine love for the game and Andrew has a massive love and care for the game that he has demonstrated over his 23 years at the AFL. He knows football, he knows the football community, he knows our supporters, our volunteers and participants and he has a clear vision of taking our game to more and more people.
“We are really pleased to appoint Andrew to the CEO role and know he will expertly guide the industry to a new era of growth and further build on the work that Gill and the team have done over the past decade. The Commission looks forward to working with Andrew to ensure our game is the sport and entertainment choice in every home in Australia.”
Dillon will now begin a recruitment process for a new head of Football Operations as he vacates the role.