ONLY months before it plays its first official match in the AFL, Greater Western Sydney has accepted the resignation of chief executive Dale Holmes.

Holmes has held the position with the AFL's 18th club since April 2010 and played a key part in the Giants' development, having left his previous post as general manager of AFL NSW/ACT.

But a statement from the club released late on Thursday says the Giants board has accepted Holmes' resignation following discussions about his role and the future development of Greater Western Sydney.

"Dale has come to the conclusion that it is in his best interests and that of the club for him to move on and the board has accepted his resignation," GWS chairman Tony Shepherd said in the statement.

"I would like to thank Dale most sincerely for the work he has done to establish the club since joining us in April, 2010."

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou also acknowledged Holmes' contribution to establishing the Giants.

"I'd like to personally thank Dale for all the work he has done in laying the foundations for this club and the way in which the Giants have been able to become part of the community in Western Sydney," Mr Demetriou said.

The statement went on to list some the club's achievements during Holmes' time, including securing almost 11,500 foundation members, the funding of the club's new home ground at Sydney Olympic Park and the setting up of the training base at Blacktown.

Holmes has also been instrumental in a number of sponsors coming on board, including major partner Skoda, and in securing Breakfast Point as the accommodation base for the players.

He has also been credited with a major role in Israel Folau's decision to switch codes from rugby league to AFL with GWS, plus the acquisitions of Tom Scully, Callan Ward and Phil Davis.

David Matthews, the AFL's general manger of national and international development, has been appointed acting CEO.

"David is based in Sydney and in the early stages of the club's development played a leading role in the signing of Kevin Sheedy as senior coach, the recruitment of Queensland and Australian rugby league representative Israel Folau and the appointment of Graeme Allan as general manager of football operations," Shepherd said.

"He has excellent credentials and the club greatly appreciates the AFL making David available as acting CEO while we begin to identify a new chief executive to continue the momentum into our first season."

The AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou also endorsed the appointment of Matthews as acting chief executive.

"David Matthews is a highly-valued member of the AFL executive team and will assume day-to-day responsibilities for the operation of the club while the board works through the appointment process," Demetriou said.

"The GWS Giants will take their place in the AFL competition as the 18th club in 2012 and the AFL Commission and executive have full confidence that the board, led by chairman Tony Shepherd, is preparing the club fully for the challenge of establishing itself in the national competition."

Shepherd was also confident Holmes' departure wouldn't provide a distraction ahead of next months' NAB AFL Draft, when the Giants will be the major players.

"Establishing a new AFL club to represent Greater Western Sydney is a big challenge and the players we will select at next month's NAB AFL Draft in Sydney, along with those we have already signed, will form what we believe will develop into a very competitive team in the AFL competition over the next three to five years," he said.

"To have 11 of the first 14 selections … is a wonderful opportunity to secure some of the best young talent in the country as we look forward to our entry into the AFL competition in 2012."