McLachlan’s legacy:AFL boss on game’s biggest challenge,why he stayed on

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan plans to exit the game after the question of Tasmania’s entry into the competition and a new pay deal with the players have been settled.

Amid criticism of the AFL’s long-delayed succession from McLachlan,the outgoing AFL boss said he still intended to leave his position afterthe Gather Round was played in South Australia (April 12-15),but that there was not a specific date.

In a wide-ranging interview that reflected on McLachlan’s legacy - his regrets over the AFL’s handling of the booing of Adam Goodes and the champion’s exile,Tasmania and the state of clubs,gambling,Jobe Watson’s loss of the Brownlow and more - the outgoing AFL boss also identified shifting demographics,shorter attention spans and “the digital generation” as the biggest challenge facing the AFL.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan.Getty Images

McLachlan confirmed that he planned to leave after the Gather Round,his time at the helm having been extended by Tasmania,the collective bargaining agreement with players and the Hawthorn inquiry (into alleged mistreatment of First Nations players and their partners). The AFL has made Tasmania’s entry to the league entirely conditional on having a new stadium in Hobart.

The Hawthorn inquiry,though,is tipped to drag on beyond McLachlan’s exit.

The full AFL Commission is interviewing leading candidates - senior AFL executives Andrew Dillon,Travis Auld and Kylie Rogers,plus Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale - for the CEO job over the next week.

“The (succession) process is rolling forward,” said McLachlan. “And it’s clearly informed by completing a couple of things I committed to for the chairman (Richard Goyder).”

Asked if settling the Tasmanian license was one of those commitments,McLachlan said:“Yeah,and there’s,the Hawthorn thing was clearly part of the extension and the CBA was what I also talked to.”

While there is much focus on concussion and social ills such as gambling,McLachlan suggested the greatest challenge for the AFL was in keeping people engaged in the game despite social shifts.

Gillon McLachlan.

Gillon McLachlan.The Age

“There’s always going to be issues of the day,but the biggest thing in a broader landscape is what’s happening in our community and I think demographic shifts,shorter attention spans,the digital generation,I think those things are big things that we’re wrestling with.

“The most important is yeah,that people are playing and that people are watching and going.”

McLachlan also:

“There’s a couple of clubs getting a lot of money. I think that those prosecuting the downside need to look at how much they’re getting.”

“Those that might theoretically be in the camp of opposition are still heavily subsided in contrast to Collingwood and West Coast and others.” Gold Coast chairman Tony Cochrane has been an open critic of the Tasmanian team’s viability.

“The Adam Goodes situation was very difficult. The broader issue of booing I don’t think (I) was accountable for. In terms of trying to bring it to a head,the type of consulting which we did and nuance - there were so many different voices and different views.

“There was a moment there were you ignore those and you lead and make decisive decisions. And I was a week late on that and I apologised for that and I certainly have learned my lesson on that and I don’t think I made that mistake again.”

Adam Goodes.

Adam Goodes.Getty Images

“Zero (regrets). It’s implausible to think somebody could be suspended - we debate what happened by ASADA - for a year and keep the Brownlow in the season which they were banned for. I feel unimpeachable logic.

“Now whether people feel that’s fair or,that’s another debate.”

Essendon skipper Jobe Watson holds the Brownlow,which was later taken from him.

Essendon skipper Jobe Watson holds the Brownlow,which was later taken from him.Penny Stephens

McLachlan said of his staying on for a full-year since his exit was announced:“Clearly,it’s actually closing out some stuff that was important to the industry. Now one of them was Hawthorn that came in grand final week.”

“I think the game’s frankly in an incredible position and I’m obviously incredibly appreciative or proud of what my team,the players the clubs,the supporters have done to get us there.”

McLachlan said he would have a break after leaving the AFL. “I think that I’ve committed to myself that the next decision has to be made after a bit of a spell. Because otherwise I’m not sure you get it right.” Asked if he would consider involvement in another sport,he said:“I don’t know what things look like.“

He nominated Wayne Carey as the best player he had seen,with Patrick Cripps game against Collingwood in round 23 was “the best game I’ve ever seen played while I was CEO.”

Patrick Cripps was on fire against Collingwood.

Patrick Cripps was on fire against Collingwood.Getty Images

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Jake Niall is a Walkley award-winning sports journalist and chief AFL writer for The Age.

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