General Manager of Football Operations Andrew Dillon is reportedly first in line to be given the top job as AFL Chief Executive.

The league's General Counsel has emerged as a favourite to succeed Gillon McLachlan after the 49-year-old announced he would be stepping down from his role back in April.

With McLachlan leaving at season's, end regardless of whether a successor is found or not, Tom Browne on Triple M revealed that Dillon is indeed the favourite to be the next in line for the throne.

"I've been told this week that Andrew Dillon, who is the General Counsel and footy boss at the AFL, is very much the short-priced favourite," Browne said on Thursday morning.

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Dillon has been at the AFL since 2000 and was formally appointed to his position as the league's GM of Football Operations in September of last year.

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Despite there being no other real candidates emerging at this point in time, Browne did throw another name in the mix.

"Kylie Watson-Wheeler who is the Bulldogs president has been linked to Gill's role," Browne added.

"The context is that Kylie is also the boss of Disney Australia...and has deservedly been linked to Gill's job, but I have been told this morning that [she] is not going for Gill's role."

Seeing as the date of McLachlan's departure is edging closer and closer, the speculation will only ramp up as the days go by regarding who the FL boss will pass the baton to.

Although the rumour mill continues to spin, it seems like as of current it is Dillon's job to lose.

Prior to his exit, McLachlan still has some big ticket items to sort out including the new broadcasting deal and the collective bargaining agreements.

Over the course of his time in the top job, McLachlan has overseen the integration of the AFLW, navigated the league through the pandemic and tackled a variety of situations that come with the role of being at the pinnacle of the game.

However, there is no question that whoever takes the mantle after McLachlan will have to be ready to face the challenges that the game faces as of current.