Gillon McLachlan resigns from the AFL’s top job after eight years

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan will stand down from the game’s top job at the end of the season.

He took on the role in April 2014, and had signalled his intention to resign before the pandemic, but stayed on to help rebuild the competition after COVID-19 setbacks.

McLachlan choked up while announcing his resignation.

“I’m leaving now because it feels right – right for the AFL, right for me, right for my family,” he said.

The AFL CEO said he’s leaving the game is in “great shape”, and he’s proud of that.

“There’s relief, there’s regret. Clearly it’s an emotional day because I have been here 20 years,” he said while fighting back tears.

AFL Commission chairman Richard Goyder said “we’re not happy with that decision but we’re completely supportive of it”.

Veteran AFL reporter Caroline Wilson believes he stayed in the role “longer than even he intended”.

Press PLAY below to hear Gil McLachlan resigning from the AFL’s top job

Image: Nine

Caroline Wilson reacts to Gil McLachlan stepping down from the AFL’s top job