ANDREW Demetriou has moved to quash speculation over his immediate future as AFL chief executive, stating he has already begun preparing for this year's Brownlow Medal presentation.
Early last month, Demetriou announced 2014 would be his 11th and final year at the helm and that he fully intended to see out this season.
There has been speculation in recent weeks, however, that Demetriou is intending to vacate his post as soon as May or June this year and hand over to his successor.
Demetriou reiterated the view to AFL.com.au on Wednesday that he intends to see out his full term.
"God I hope so," he said when asked if he'd still be in the job at season's end.
"I've started rehearsing for the Brownlow.
"That will be the case, yes."
Demetriou was also asked about Mitch Clark's decision to walk away from his multi-million dollar contract with Melbourne and retire from the AFL at the age of 26 due to depression.
Clark had taken some extended personal leave in an attempt to conquer his mental health issues, but announced on Tuesday he was unable to commit to a full-time career in the sport.
"I just think it's very sad and again highlights that there are issues going on that aren't necessarily related to playing, physical injuries, they can be of a mental nature," Demetriou said.
"He's got a serious illness and everyone I know associated with the sport wants to wish his health a speedy recovery.
"We're only interested in Mitch Clark's welfare above and beyond any other issue."
Demetriou was speaking to AFL.com.au following a forum in Sydney aimed at targeting homophobia in sport.
Demetriou joined the heads of rugby league, rugby union, soccer and cricket in a unified front to target the issue, signing a commitment to eliminate homophobia in their sport.
Over the past 12 months, athletes in American football and basketball have made the decision to "come out" and reveal their homosexuality in groundbreaking moves for professional sport.
That is something that is yet to happen in the AFL, with former Brisbane Lion Jason Akermanis infamously declaring back in 2010 that the AFL world isn't ready for it.
Demetriou doesn't know if it will happen in his code any time soon, but was extremely confident players "will not suffer any discrimination" as a result.
"That's entirely up to the individuals," he said.
"If someone feels comfortable about doing that, then they would be welcomed.
"It's not for the AFL to try and encourage or force people to do what they don't want to do.
"I, for one, am very confident that if a player believes that it's important that they want to state what their sexual identity is and be public about it, then they would be welcomed.
"They will not suffer any discrimination from anyone in our industry and I'm very, very confident of that."
