AFL starts search for new footy ops boss

Jul 20, 2017 - 5:53 AM The AFL has started the search for a new football operations manager, with no timeline set for the appointment.

But the league wants the appointment sorted later this year.

Incumbent Simon Lethlean and fellow senior AFL executive Richard Simkiss resigned in disgrace last week because of extra-marital affairs with junior colleagues.

The football operations manager is one of the AFL's most-important positions, in many ways second only to chief executive Gillon McLachlan.

The league had a smooth succession in the past few years, from Adrian Anderson to Mark Evans and then earlier this year to Lethlean, who had been a respected figure in the game.

His sudden resignation is not only a massive blow to the AFL's image, but also to its management.

Acting football operations manager Andrew Dillon will remain in the role until the successful candidate is announced.

"The AFL is committed to a thorough process, ensuring it can unearth the best candidate, man or woman, to lead the game's football operations department across both the AFL and AFLW," acting AFL chief executive Ray Gunston said in a statement.

The job description includes overseeing talent pathways for players, the AFLW, player education and welfare, ground operations, coaching, umpiring, laws of the game and the tribunal system.

Experienced club football administrators such as Ameet Bains (St Kilda), Steve Hocking (Geelong) and Chris Bond (Fremantle) are already touted as potential candidates.

Even Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley's name has been mentioned, should he fail to secure a contract extension at the end of the season.

Rugby League Players' Association (RLPA) boss Ian Prendergast, having previously worked at the AFL equivalent, is another name featuring in speculation.

Source: AAP