A strange situation has unfolded at a gathering of the AFL clubs’ chief executives on Tuesday, where 21 CEOs have turned up to the meeting on the Gold Coast from just the 18 clubs.
Part of the problem has come from the fact there are outgoing CEOs and incoming chiefs at two clubs, while Brendon Gale is also there as the CEO of the AFL’s nineteenth club, Tasmania.
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Graham Wright has been fast-tracked into his role at Carlton to replace outgoing chief Brian Cook, while Melbourne also had two chiefs present.
The situation at Melbourne is intriguing.
“This is even more awkward,” said The Agenda Setters ’ Caroline Wilson.
“At least at Carlton, Brian Cook has given the blessing to Graham Wright (to takeover).
“At Melbourne David Chippindall is the acting CEO. He’s gone to the CEOs’ conference. So has Paul Guerra, who’s the incoming CEO, who bizarrely is not starting until September.
“I‘m just amazed Melbourne haven’t been more taken apart for this. I just find this extraordinary, and it’s awkward because David Chippindall went for the job … and he was pretty disappointed to miss out, particularly to a non-football CEO.
“Now most clubs now are going for a footy CEO.”
7NEWS chif AFL reporter Mitch Cleary said Melbourne’s started their search for a football CEO and looked at the highly regarded Jason McCartney.
“(These type of people) were consulted originally. Then they changed tack late and found Paul Guerra,” Cleary said.
“So David Chippindall being there still, it’s almost like the caretaker coach that remains at a club when the new head coach comes in. It’s pretty rare.”
AFL great Kane Cornes thought the whole thing was bizarre.
“Let me lay this out. They’ve got an acting president (Brad Green), they’ve got a new president starting at the end of the year (Steven Smith) who’s currently overseas.
“They have an acting CEO who went for the job and didn’t get it, and an incoming CEO who doesn’t start until the end of September. Caro, it’s no wonder they’re struggling to make any decisions.
“How are they running their football club?”
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Wilson also said football boss Alan Richardson was also “under the pump” because “the footy department has had some real problems in recent years”.
Cleary wondered if the problem would be “seeping” into the playing group with the “musical chairs” environment.’
“This can’t be a stable environment for Max Gawn to lead his club?” Cleary asked.
Star commentator Dale Thomas said he felt for Gawn.
“There’d be a large proportion of the football club and the player group that doesn’t really care about it, but some of the leaders, who do get asked about it and quizzed about it, they have to be across all of it,” he said.
“And no doubt … the more senior you are at the football club, you need to be across it. And when it is a genuine dog’s breakfast, what are you meant to be selling and how do you sell it?
“I think Max Gawn’s had one of the toughest positions in football over the past couple of years with how he’s had to front up, week in, week out, with what’s going on, on-field, off-field, from the top down. And he’s done a remarkable job.
“But I think at some point it does seep in (to the playing group), that’s for sure.”