AFL Commission chairman Richard Goyder admits Gillon McLachlan\u2019s decision to step down as league CEO at year\u2019s end surprised the competition\u2019s hierarchy.<\/p>\n
McLachlan announced last week that he will leave his post at the conclusion of 2022 after eight seasons in charge.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019d be correct to say that we\u2019re not happy with that decision, but completely supportive of it,\u201d Goyder said.<\/p>\n
\u201cGil\u2019s always said to me that he wanted to go at the top of his game at a time of his choosing and when the AFL was in as good a shape as it can be, and I think that\u2019s fair play\u2026 and certainly fair for he and his family.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s done an outstanding job.\u201d<\/p>\n
An emotional McLachlan felt the time was right to step away as AFL chief with the league in \u201cgreat shape\u201d for whoever takes the baton.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m leaving now because it feels right,\u201d McLachlan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight for the AFL, right for me, right for my family. The AFL is in great shape\u2026 it\u2019s in incredible shape on whatever metric you assess it.<\/p>\n
\u201cFooty\u2019s back pumping with a clear plan for continued growth and I feel good about that, I feel it\u2019s the right time to close out the stuff we need to do this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s relief\u2026 there\u2019s everything, it\u2019s clearly an emotional day because I\u2019ve spent 20 years of my life here.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I feel very good about where the league is.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt just feels the right time and I can\u2019t be clearer than that and it\u2019s probably the right time for the AFL I feel, Richard has a slightly different view, and obviously for me and my family.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel very good that it will be handed over in good shape and whoever takes over the fort has got a good platform.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before McLachlan steps away as league boss, a new collective bargaining agreements for the women\u2019s and men\u2019s competitions is still to be finalised, plus deciding on Tasmania\u2019s bid to enter the AFL.<\/p>\n
A new broadcast deal will also be negotiated with the current rights expiring at the end of 2024.<\/p>\n
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