AFL Modifies its Executive Ranks

The AFL has reacted amid growing pressure on football boss Laura Kane, splitting her job in two as part of a major shake-up of its executive ranks.

A second general manager of football performance will be appointed to work with Kane, while long-term social and inclusion boss Tanya Hosch will depart the league.

Despite the shift, Dillon is adamant Kane, who will still be in charge of football operations but no longer be responsible for MRO, umpiring, game analysis, player movement, laws of the game, innovation and club engagement, maintains a “major leadership role”.

Kane will still be responsible for delivering the AFL, AFLW, VFL and VFLW competitions as well as a newly formed AFL healthcare and medical team, including the league’s mental health response and ongoing concussion management.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon and football boss Laura Kane. Picture: AFL Photos.

There remains increasing pressure for Dillon to swiftly find a new chief operating officer, as the AFL executive team struggled in the wake of former chief executive Gillon McLachlan’s resignation.

The position of commission chairman Richard Goyder is also under scrutiny, as the AFL, despite boasting huge membership and viewership numbers, lurches from crisis to crisis off the field.

Kane particularly was criticized for the AFL’s handling of the situation with Rioli, who escaped penalty for a threat made to Western Bulldogs defender Bailey Dale before a history of similar incidents was revealed and he was banned for a week.

There were also issues with the blame game after umpires failed to stop the game when Collingwood’s Lachie Schultz was concussed against Fremantle.