McLachlan comments on Brownlow betting scandal

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has commented on the Brownlow betting scandal that swept through the league in November.

League umpire Michael Pell was one of four men arrested last month linked to suspicious betting activity on the 2022 Brownlow Medal.

Victoria Police have widened their investigation into Pell, also looking into the 2021 season as well.

It has been alleged that bets were laid on more than 10 matches the young umpire helmed.

McLachlan said “human failures” have let the industry down in this instance.

“I’m not saying I wasn’t surprised, maybe shocked by what was alleged to have happened. But in the broader sense, I’m incredibly proud of our industry,” McLachlan said last week.

“I’m proud of our players, our female and male athletes, I’m proud of our clubs, I’m proud of my team unbelievably.

“I’m accepting of human failures. People make mistakes. [The AFL has] the best systems and process and culture, we do everything we can to avoid that knowing that in life, these things happen.”

McLachlan ruled out changes to the way the Brownlow is run.

“The Brownlow voting will stay exactly the same,” he said. “All the suggestions I’ve heard, it’s not that they’re not worthy, but they wouldn’t have dealt with this issue.

“In the end, the allegations go to the personal integrity of an individual.

“At some point, right through every system, someone has to make a decision when they have information that, if they’re compromised, can lead to issues like we’ve allegedly got here.”

McLachlan will remain in the AFL’s top job until round five of the 2023 season, extending his stay after previously saying 2022 would be his last year.

– BY NIC NEGREPONTIS/ SEN