AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan has today announced changes to the AFL Football Department Structure and the key appointments associated with those changes.
Acting Executive General Manager of Football, Andrew Dillon has been formally appointed to the role on a permanent basis in a revised executive portfolio to include Football Operations, Legal and Integrity.
Mr Dillon, whose AFL experience across almost 20 years has included legal and business affairs, integrity and compliance, game development and two separate stints as acting General Manager of Football Operations, has led the AFL Football Operations department since July, following the departure of Steve Hocking to take on the role of Chief Executive of the Geelong Cats.
Mr Dillon’s new football leadership team will include the appointments of Laura Kane as General Manager Competition Management and Brad Scott in the new role of General Manager Football.
They will join Nicole Livingstone (General Manager Women’s Football) and Kate Hall(Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing) in leading the administration of the key football competitions across AFL, AFLW, VFL, VFLW and the NAB Leagues.
“The last few months have continued to be incredibly challenging for our competition, both on field and off field, and Andrew has led the Football Department team brilliantly as we have navigated through these unprecedented circumstances,” Mr McLachlan said.
“Andrew’s experience, expertise, and resilience, along with his industry relationships, paired with the other key appointments is a dynamic mix and he is best placed to lead this newly formed and diverse Football Operations team and spread the load in what has become an increasingly bigger role.”
Laura Kane joins the AFL from the North Melbourne Football Club. Across the last six years she has held positions as General Manager Strategy and Football Operations and Head of Football Operations and has been a member of the Club’s Executive leadership team for the last five years.
Ms Kane has also been part of the AFL’s GenW Women’s Talent Program, AFLW Competition Committee and is a current member of the AFL Competition Committee.
Her new portfolio as General Manager Competition Management will include:
- Football Operations and Competition Management for all AFL run competitions, including AFL, AFLW, VFL and VFLW
- Covid Management
- Football Projects
Brad Scott most recently held the position as Head of AFL Victoria after 10 years as Senior Coach of the North Melbourne Football Club. His AFL playing career across 10 seasons at Hawthorn and the Brisbane Lions saw him play 168 games and win two premierships.
He also holds a Certificate of Management Excellence from Harvard University and a Graduate Certificate in Sports Coaching Administration.
Mr Scott’s new portfolio as General Manager Football will include:
- Umpiring
- Talent Pathways (NAB Leagues, Academies, Diversity Programs, Second Tier)
- Game Analysis & List Management
- MRO, Tribunal and ARC
- Competition Committee
- Player Education
Mr McLachlan welcomed both appointments.
“Laura’s football and management experience throughout her time at North Melbourne has been second to none. She has been an integral part of both the AFL and AFLW programs at the club, including leading the establishment of North Melbourne’s AFLW, VFL and VFLW teams and programs.
“As a member of both the AFL and AFLW competition committees and our GenW Women’s Talent Program, we are very fortunate to welcome Laura to the team.
“Brad’s transition from coaching to administrator over the last 18 months has impressed everyone he has worked with, both within our organisation, across the 18 clubs and within community football in Victoria.
“Brad has firsthand experience in dealing with all aspects of AFL football, from coming through our talent pathway program, to premiership player, assistant coach, senior coach and most recently as an AFL administrator, and his leadership and resilience throughout is what has set him apart.
“We congratulate both Brad and Laura on their new roles and we know they will add great value and leadership to our football operations department and as members of our senior leadership team across the broader organisation.”
As part of the structure changes AFL General Manager of Competition Management Rob Auld will join the Office of the CEO, while AFL Head of Talent Pathways and State League Tristan Salter will take on a new role as Head of Commercial Strategy and Growth in the AFL Commercial Operations Department.
Mr McLachlan said Mr Auld would work across departments to drive the long-term Covid planning for the AFLW and AFL after two years of guiding the elite competitions through Covid and being an integral member of the AFL’s wider leadership while Mr Salter will be driving new business and growth for the AFL.
The AFL will begin the recruitment processes for a new Head of AFL Victoria to replace Mr Scott and for a new Executive General Manager Game Development, the portfolio previously held by Mr Dillon.
Bolstering community football, particularly in Victorian and NSW and providing support for leagues, clubs and families in getting young people back playing football is one of the biggest priorities for the AFL in the coming year.
Mr McLachlan said the Covid pandemic continued to be a major challenge and the AFL was committed to assisting in ensuring that young people impacted by lockdowns returned to team sport and re-connected with their friends and the local community.
“A key priority of the AFL is how we best support community football to rebound after two successive years of Covid interruptions. We are looking at a number of initiatives where we can provide practical help to local clubs and Auskick clinics to be a central part of the rebuilding of community infrastructure and connection,” he said.
“Our community clubs are often the epicentres of their community, the sense of belonging they provide is something we must keep safe, and the newly elevated role of Executive General Manager Game Development will join my Executive Team to ensure we are delivering on this.
“We will boost funding in community football and in the coming months we will be announcing a number of initiatives to support community footy bounce back in 2022.”
All announced appointments will begin in the weeks after the 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final.
