Andrew Demetriou will step down as AFL CEO at the end of the 2014 season, after 11 years in the position.
Demetriou made the announcement at 10am (AEDT) at a press conference at AFL house. He was glowing in his praise of the position of the game, and believes it is the right time to move on.
“I’ve always said it was a privilege and an honour to serve the game,” said Demetriou.
“I also believe the time is right.
“The growth of the game has been extraordinary.
“It’s been a wonderful journey full of challenges but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“I leave the game with no regrets,” added Demetriou.
[roargal]
This morning’s speculation was fuelled by Collingwood President, Eddie McGuire, who alluded to the the resignation on Triple M’s morning show.
McGuire was full of praise for Demetriou, stating that he would “sorely missed.”
Demetriou has held the position as head of the AFL for more than ten years, during a time that has seen the league expand in size, popularity, and profitability.
However, the AFL’s handling of the supplements saga over the past year has been a source of much criticism.
The announcement comes on the eve of the 2014 season and following the release of further reports in relation to the ASADA supplements saga.
Demetriou says he hopes the last year will not affect his legacy as one of the best administrators of the game.
“That will be for others to judge,” said Demetriou.
“Hopefully people won’t take a snapshot of one point in time.
“Everything at the AFL has been done as a collective.
“We’ve achieved so much of what we’ve done as a collective. It will be for others to judge (whether I’ve done a good job).”
“We (Demetriou and Fitzpatrick) were both concerned about sport science a couple of years ago,” he said.
“Whether we could’ve acted earlier .. we just weren’t in a position there. There was enough hearsay to have us worried.
“The AFL has done all it can do in this situation. I’m proud of how we acted last year.
“We’ve enhanced the anti-doping code. What happens thereafter is in (anti-doping agency) ASADA’s hands. We are well equipped with any issue going forward.”
Over the weekend the Herald Sun published the names of ten current players who are all alleged to have taken prohibited substances.
A very emotional but impressive Andrew Demetriou at his press conference. The consumate professional.
— Daniel Lonergan (@daniellonergan) March 2, 2014
Will we have to refer to next AFL season as 2015 AD (after Demetriou)?
— Andrew Condon (@_condo) March 3, 2014
Will his announcement affect the value of this? #Demetriou #AFL pic.twitter.com/rmHuv72qfe
— Michael Chamberlin (@ChamberlinM) March 2, 2014
alicesprings
Guest
I didn't say Gillon was the perfect candidate…however the general consensus seems to be that he is a shoe in. Vald wasn't the perfect polish performer he is today when he started 11yrs ago, neither will his successor. Cookie would be awesome, the thing going against him is his age..i think his almost 60. The AFL will want ideally another 10yr stint from the successor.
TW
Guest
alicesprings, Do not agree about Gillon. He looks weak and the few times I have seen him on TV usually does not come over very well - He always appears to be struggling whereas AD always come over as pugnaciuous - Like him or not. Perhaps he (Gillon) may need a media tune up kit like the pollys get. Brian Cook gets my vote with his track record, however the word (not C Wilson) out of Melbourne is an outsider may get the gig which maybe a good thing. I know some of the AFL supporters on here from Melb dont like Caroline Wilson but she was spruiking this move 12 months ago. As an interstater her sources appear to be ok most of the time.
sheek
Roar Guru
I guess when Fitzpatrick heard from Demetriou at the superbowl that he was stepping down, it fairly super-bowled Fitzpatrick over.....
hoopster
Guest
Living in the past, and wrong about the facts at the same time, - you really should move on Mate.
sheek
Roar Guru
Well Chris, I've been moderated for one of the few times in my life. It seems you can't call politicians, at least from the same party, a word starting with 'i' which means idiot, but isn't idiot itself. Maybe I should thrown a bunch of pollies from all political persuasion together. it would have been easy enough to do. However, others especially Australian Rules, have challenged your point effectively. It appears you intensely dislike Demetriou, however it's important to keep things in perspective. Demetriou, Gallop, O'Neill, Smith & Sutherland were obliged to toe the party line or risk having their federal sports grants withheld. No, Australia isn't Russia, but even pollies, especially pollies, are capable of playing dirty. And I've been moderated again. This will be interesting...
deebhoy
Guest
kasey can you give me an example of this fear mongering you speak of? besides his honest answer to neil Mitchell about the worst case scenario for footy if the world cup came here what else have you got? providing some links would be very helpful
Kasey
Guest
"The gloves came off"?? Yes, No more of that "there's room for all codes to live and work together" crap, it was kill or be killed under Vlad's reign. The hysterical fear-mongering he whipped up during the ill-fated World Cup bid was a master-stroke of propaganda that would have made Kim Jong Il proud. Mind you I'm *not* one of those cranks who blames the AFL for our bid failing.... our bid was cactus before it even left our shores:(
alicesprings
Guest
Good call, Brain Cook would no doubt do a very good job…however i would be very surprised if anyone but Gillon gets the nod.
micka
Guest
I'd have thought that the biggest, most highly televised sporting event on the planet would be compulsory for an administrator of a national sporting comp.... I reckon Demitriou could have cured cancer and people would be getting stuck into him for pushing oncologists onto the unemployment lines.
micka
Guest
As someone who didn't have a membership at the start of the Demetriou involvement and does now, I would argue the opposite. I wasn't a great fan of the blind boot it upfield and hope it lands somewhere positive. Now we just have to establish whose opinion is of higher value...
Jorji Costava
Guest
Personally, I would be expecting Brian Cook to take over the top job. He has played the game, has run two big clubs very successfully and is well spoken and respected. This Gil chap, is not ideal. He is too close to the scandals of the AFL and is not an AFL ex player. Will be hard to respect.
Avon River
Guest
#Chris Demetriou was there for the same reason as Gallop and Smith. Good relationships with fed govt is very important. Communism doesn't need to enter into it at all. As entertaining as your story is I don't see your gang of four connection holding any substance. But you seem adamant to keep pushing your theory.
Alicesprings
Guest
Gillon is guaranteed the position..although there is going to be an outsourcing of the process to find a successor. Gillon is widely respected as an excellent negotiator and forward thinker. All that is required now is a nick name! We had Vlad..now what?
The Minister
Guest
There is the internal stuff as well of course but I was more referring to the stance he took towards the other codes. All in all he certainly left a mark during his time in charge and he certainly took the game forward especially in a material sense and was the architect of the great expansion politics of recent years. Whether this project was a misguided folly or a daring and astute execution of opportunity will only be able to be determined long after he's gone. The game of Aussie Rules is in good health despite the controversies but the fact remains a lot of eggs were broken in making this omelette.
Australian Rules
Guest
Well no, none of those "ticks" are correct. They're just a combination of your own speculations and things which are blatantly untrue...like the insinuation that Gillard "fell on her sword" due to the...ahem.. ASADA investigation..?? Seriously.
karlos
Guest
Good timing. He reigned during the time the NRL was on it's knees surviving on a pittance. He put a team in west Sydney because he knew things were never be that easy again. A knee jerk reaction to watching the NRL continue to strengthen. His very poor handling of the drug issues over the past 10 years (not 1) came to a head last year and continues this year. And tanking of course. Does he want to be in the hotseat when his failures are finally made clear? Of course not. Most of my AFL following mates have been wanting him to stand down for over 3 years.
Chris
Guest
If Demetriou didn't want to be there he shouldn't have turned up. This isn't communist Russia, the government has no legal power to compel a person to show up to a press conference.
me, I like football
Guest
I think it was just a clash of ego's with Mcguire, Colless, Kennett and the like.(water under the bridge stuff) and I don't think Little has any ground to stand on
Chris
Guest
Whats incorrect? They went lockstep. Tick. The government used overblown rhetoric to distract from its low polling numbers and Gillard's tenuous hold on her leadership. Tick. The whole affair still hasn't seen a prosecution. Tick. All four are now gone from the positions they held at the time. Tick.
BigAl
Guest
junket (sic) trip ! - tad harsh there Brett, the Super Bowl experience would/should be mandatory for someone in AD's position.