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.
“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.
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.
Queensland's Game Is Rugby League
Guest
"The Western Sydney NRL sides play in Sydney the weekends that the GWS Giants play at home and when the Swans played at ANZ." There are four NRL teams in Western Sydney. One of them is going to be playing at home on any given weekend.
TC
Guest
Let us all learn to appreciate all sports and get along. All sports, like all people, are special. I am reminded of the pig talking to the donkey and the cow: yes, we are all equal, but some are more equal than others. TC
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Yes Barich was such a high profile player,all the kiddies came jumping over to rugby league ATT. I believe the ARL paid him $1.25m per season,even though he had never played the game in such capacity,ad was used on billboarsds and Tv ads all over Perth. Anyone who pays someone who has never played the code before, a figure of $1.5m pa ,expecting a rush of participants as a result,and fans to trip over themselves in the rush,plus have a team of kids that get beaten like bambi,is an admin that has not done much research into the Sydney market and what makes it tick. The waste at times makes Gillard look financially conservative by nature.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
New stadiums for WIN ,Kogarah,Southern stadium Sharks,Campbelltown stand and newcastle stands.It's hardly all doom Jaceman as you try the usual code in crisis post.Twenty years,those improvments within that time period suggest some things were improved. The code now has a little pocket money to assist on infrastructure.Enjoy the ride.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Your a rugby league fan apparently LOL.And I am a croquet expert.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Got that off your chest.And BTW it will be one of the biggest NRL finals for years,because it is under a new finals format and the top 4 teams get a second shot.And then the best players get picked of r a test against the Kiwis at years end. The SOO was the biggest on record just to set you straight, for the upmteenth time. Next question?
Australian Rules
Guest
You've said that twice now. Anything else to add?
Tru Blu
Guest
I like your thinking Andy, this is the information age after all and the old adage, 'he who holds the gold makes the rules" should now say info. You should apply for the role.
Michael
Guest
Judging by the interviews at the Dally M's the other night, am I that wrong? :p
Queensland's Game Is Rugby League
Guest
AFL fans are like the dreary followers of a devil worshipping cult.
Queensland's Game Is Rugby League
Guest
The AFL is like a cult.
Queensland's Game Is Rugby League
Guest
If you think rugby league players are just meatheads who run into each other then you don't have a high opinion of rugby league. You cannot call yourself a fan if you don't rate the game.
Michael
Guest
*for fans of all codes I honestly am a huge league fan, but I love my AFL more and when someone writes what this bloke did above I have no problem sticking up for Australian football at the expense of rugby league. Still, point taken, I'll try to bite my tongue in future.
Stanza
Guest
Michael Said from earlier post " I also go on the league threads, because I love the NRL too". Sorry mate, it doesn't sound like you are a NRL fan. More like a code war zealot which unfortunately denegrates most threads to utter BS for fans of RL.
Michael
Guest
Seeings as though the majority of the world likes soccer I don't think one would be wrong to assume most people would appreciate great foot skills as opposed to two meat heads running into each other...
Jaceman
Guest
Brillaintly planned representative survey - just like going thru the car park at Subiaco and Adelaides Footy park and seeing all the Liverpool, Man U , Arsenal car stickers eh???
Australian Rules
Guest
"the facts behind my words, are facts, not bluff and fubar" Yes, von, of course they are. for example... "Children are the easiest of all age-groups to >indoctrinate<. Thats the AFLs goal. Its basically like a religion, or cult….get the kids and mess with their heads" Righto then.
Von Neumann
Guest
I think you meant NRL, because the afl is like a sand grain compared to the NFL taking you meant NRL, well, I made the adjustments......[in no way] and [in no way, especially enjoyment] beamz. afl= seaguls chasing a chip, and doing a poor job of it Must say, anyone I have shown the great game of rugby league to, has been very interested in the game. americans, north and south, europeans, eastern europeans, though strangely meet very few english fans in australia, most prefer union who I meet. - then I take the time to ask them if they have seen afl and if they like it. I swear to you, I am not lying, but there would be no way for you to know....they say they do not like AFL. They say its messy and its not gripping like rugby league, or as impressive. Did they indoctrinate you, too? Time to wake up and get a new perspective. Bolt from the cult.
Von Neumann
Guest
nice little word game you are playing. but indeed, the facts behind my words, are facts, not bluff and fubar, like yours. haha, yeh, 90% of its supporters live around 50 kms from the mcg. must tell you something. well, they tried to let the game do the talking, but didn't work. they tried for 30 years...you can fit a generation in that. wonder whats happening over at the afl board. ...wait...couldn't care...closet league fan you are.
Jaceman
Guest
No matter what this will be the biggest NRL finals series for years and was last years and the year before. The AFL could take some lessons from the NRL in marketing..just like this years SOO was the biggest since err last year.