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McLachlan knocks back ARLC

4th September, 2012
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Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys is leading a Steve Bradbury-like race to be the ARL Commission’s new chief executive after No.1 target Gillon McLachlan rejected a big money approach to quit the AFL.

Rugby league’s bold bid to poach AFL’s second in charge came to a disappointing yet predictable end on Tuesday when McLachlan opted to remain Andrew Demetriou’s understudy.

News of his rejection came via a press release just hours before the Dally M awards – rugby league’s night of nights – was due to take place at Sydney’s Town Hall.

Not even a reported $1.5 million-a-year carrot and the opportunity to work with rugby league’s new riches courtesy of the $1.05 billion broadcast deal – was enough to lure McLachlan north.

The AFL’s chief operating officer becomes the latest in a long line of candidates to knock back the ARLC’s advances.

Already former TAB boss Warren Wilson, ex-NZRL chief executive Jim Doyle, respected Canterbury CEO Todd Greenberg and the man who is holding the position on an interim basis – Shane Mattiske – have ruled themselves out of contention.

ARL Commission chairman John Grant refused to discuss McLachlan’s spurning of the rugby league’s approach.

“This is an ongoing process and it is inappropriate to discuss anyone’s position given the privacy and trust candidates have invested in the commission,” Grant said.

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“Making the right appointment for the future of the game remains our goal and given we’re very comfortable with the way this continues to operate, we’ve not set ourselves any timeline to complete the process.”

The commission has been searching for a new chief executive ever since long-serving boss David Gallop sensationally quit in June – just four months into a new four-year contract.

Along with V’landys, there was a suggestion the ARLC may have also turned their attention to another AFL man – Essendon chief executive Ian Robson.

The ARLC had been hoping the poaching of McLachlan would deliver a double bonus – not only would it be getting a highly respected sports administrator but it would also be privy to many of their rival code’s secrets.

Just last week Grant praised McLachlan’s role in the AFL’s continued growth in recent years.

Seen as the logical successor to Demetriou, McLachlan said he had unfinished business with the AFL.

“There is still much to achieve at the AFL as we continue to strategically position the code for ongoing growth in popularity and participation,” he said in a statement.

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Demetriou lauded McLachlan’s retention.

“Gill has played an important role in many of the AFL’s significant commercial outcomes in recent years and still has much to contribute to the AFL’s future strategic direction,” Demetriou said.

While he may be last-man standing, V’landys is far from a last-choice option for the ARLC.

His effort to beat corporate bookmakers in a landmark NSW High Court case that netted the racing industry $100 million in March won him many admirers within rugby league circles.

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