As outgoing AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan remains in the top job more than a year after announcing his intentions to step down, the league continues its search for his replacement, with a new contender for the job emerging.
Per 7 News' Tom Browne, that contender is Western Bulldogs club president Kylie Watson-Wheeler, who is reportedly firming as a strong candidate.
Watson-Wheeler has been part of the Western Bulldogs since January 2014 and at the end of 2020, she was unanimously elected as the Bulldog's new President after Peter Gordon stepped down, stating it was an honour to take over from Gordon.
โIt's an absolute honour to succeed Peter Gordon as the President of our beloved club, and I'm grateful for the support of Peter, the entire board and the Club's leadership,โ she said in 2020.
Watson-Wheeler is also the Senior Vice President & Managing Director for the Walt Disney Company in Australia and New Zealand. The Bulldogs president has slowly and successfully climbed the ranks throughout the Walt Disney Company and originally started as the Director of Publishing for Australia, New Zealand, India and Korea.
Speaking on Triple M Footy on Friday, Browne stated that club CEOs are meeting at a casino in Adelaide during the AFL's Gather Round to discuss potential candidates and that Watson-Wheeler is a strong contender.
"The club CEOs are meeting here this morning at the casino ... Kylie Watson-Wheeler who is the Bulldogs president and also the Head of Disney in Australasia, is now in my view, the favourite to take over from Gil McLachlan," Browne said.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan commented on Melbourne Radio this morning that 'the end is getting pretty close' in relation to his time as CEO. The process of finding a suitable replacement has taken much longer than first anticipated.
Browne noted that he spoke to a number of clubs offline, with the majority saying they think Commission Chairman, Richard Goyder, is reluctant to give candidate Andrew Dillon, AFL legal counsel and head of football operations, the role of CEO.
"It is certainly a club view, and I've spoken to a number of clubs offline that Richard Goyder, the Commission Chairman is reluctant, this is a club view, to give it (the role) to Andrew Dillon and will go with Kylie Watson-Wheeler," Browne said.
"That's got a bit to play out because Dillon is clearly a favourite and is well qualified for the job but I believe there is a lot of momentum now for Watson-Wheeler to take over as the AFL CEO."
Western Bulldogs AFLW Coach, Nathan Burke praised Watson-Wheeler and her efforts with the club, referring to her as a "phenomenal candidate" and someone who is more than qualified for the role.
"Whilst we would hate to lose her at the Western Bulldogs I think she would be an absolutely phenomenal candidate.
"She would change this league," Burke toldย ABC Radio.ย
"I feel the AFL needs somebody from club-land who understands the issues that clubs face and how they operate," he continued.
"I think the look of having a female heading such a traditionally male organisation that has been called a boys club is a fantastic step in the right direction.
"Other organisations and sporting codes can then follow."
