Toast Brendon Gale

[JAKLAUGHING]

Standing in the general vicinity of some opposition players seems to generate free kicks against us

Spesh the 50 meter penalties!

 

[Stars align]

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Brendon Gale is football’s elephant in the room.

Why wasn’t he appointed the next chief executive officer of the AFL?

No slight on the respected Andrew Dillon, who is expected to replace Gillon McLachlan in what would be yet another in-house selection.

It’s a curious situation when the $1 million worldwide search found Dillon one office away from McLachlan in the game’s Docklands headquarters, just as McLachlan was an office away from Andrew Demetriou, who was an office away from Wayne Jackson, and Jackson himself was a commissioner during the Ross Oakley era.

It’s like a mafia family and only “made men’’ reap the rewards.

Clubs wanted to break this cycle, because they felt a person was needed from outside the institution, and one with expansive club knowledge.

It’s why every senior figure at club level contacted by the Herald Sun finds it “bizarre’’ and “bewildering’’ that Gale has not already been appointed McLachlan’s successor – or should be.

Why not, they ask.

It’s a curious situation as to why Brendon Gale isn’t Gillon McLachlan’s sucessor. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

What has the AFL got against Richmond’s chief executive, they ask.

Because the AFL Commission often presents like a secret society, chaired by Richard Goyder, those same club figures are left to only surmise why Gale has seemingly been death-ridden by people within the AFL.

He might not even run second, or perhaps even third, in the race for McLachlan’s job, when he was second to McLachlan last time around.

It’s mind-boggling.

Gale’s CV is a rip snorter: 244-game player, lawyer, Players’ Association boss, Tigers CEO, helped save a crumbling football club, three flags, 100,000 members, league-leading Indigenous programs, bundles of generated cash, well liked, well respected, loves the game and respects the fans.

But apparently not that rip snorting enough.

Former Richmond president Peggy O’Neal is a fan of Dillon’s but is mystified by the potential Gale snub.

“Decisions are made which I just don’t understand and haven’t for a while,’’ O’Neal said.

“I can’t imagine anyone doing a better job than Brendon, so I don’t know what the dilemma is, really.

“Maybe he sees major changes are needed and others don’t want that to happen, I don’t know ... it’s a mystery.

“I do wonder what else they want when you consider all he has done in his career, the commercial side of things, he’s a lawyer, players’ association, and then coming to Richmond when we were down on our luck ... and to be so determined for the turnaround, and it happened, and way, way the large part goes to Brendon.

“He’s a very intellectually curious person who has a lot of skills beyond what you see on game day.

“I’m not sure what criteria the AFL is looking for, and sometimes when you’re interviewing you think, and not just for AFL jobs, sometimes people go with someone they know rather than take a chance.’’

Peggy O'Neil and Brendon Gale with the 2017 premiership cup. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

She argued the AFL had to look outside, an opinion shared by most of her former counterpart presidents.

“We’re at a point where I think (we need) someone outside AFL (headquarters) and someone who knows club land because the clubs really need to have a say of what happens, and I’ve thought that for a long time,’’ she said.

“We put on the show. TV rights and all those kinds of things are going well because the show is pretty good and that’s because we put a team out every week, and we bring the fans, and I just think we’ve lost sight somewhere along the way about where the control really lies and the ability to exercise it.

“The commission was set up to avoid club bias, but I think we need someone who understands the stress of club land.’’

Like many, O’Neal is flabbergasted that the search took so long.

“I think most people who have been in this mix for a while have had to put their lives on hold, and that’s not fair,’’ she said. “We change governments faster than this. BHP change CEOs faster than this.’’

The year-long fiasco to find the replacement for McLachlan – and the machinations of recent weeks in particular – could prompt a severe shake-up of the commission.

It is said Goyder wanted Western Bulldogs president Kylie Watson-Wheeler in McLachlan’s chair, but clubs didn’t like that idea, nor did some members of the commission, who allegedly voted down Goyder’s left-field idea.

That’s not good news for Goyder. Put it this way, if the coach declares who he wants as captain and the support staff say no, the coach clearly has lost authority.

Senior club figures have suggested Goyder will be gone within 12 months. Some of those senior figures say it can’t come quick enough because, in their time, they have never seen a more dysfunctional and vanilla commission table, and one bereft of football IQ.

Certainly, club presidents are headed for a showdown with Goyder and, as a group, they will likely soon call for an urgent meeting with him and the commission.

The presidents have no say about who will be the league’s next CEO, but they are all over the two vacant spots on the commission and possibly one or two more.

Richard Goyder, Brendon Gale and Gillon McLachlan’s successor. Picture: Michael Klein

The clubs want former player and administrator Andrew Ireland and Ireland wants in. Leigh Matthews is also warming to the idea of being a commissioner. And Matthew Pavlich is seemingly the No.1 draft pick on that front.

Another name to emerge in recent days is Collingwood director Jodie Sizer, who has done a power of work in the wake of the Magpies’ Do Better Report.

One of Australia’s foremost Indigenous leaders, Sizer could be a contender for the position held by Helen Milroy, who is expected to depart the commission.

It’s possible the club presidents could push for all four to join the commission in what would be a major overhaul.

Even Goyder’s potential successor as chairman, Robin Bishop, an investment banker who has been on the commission since 2017, might not have the support from the presidents that he’d hope to have.

McLachlan has been the ultimate poker player throughout, holding his cards close about when he’s departing and even closer about who should replace him.

He says he’s had nothing to do with it, but that can’t be true. Goyder won’t open an envelope without McLachlan’s blessing, so it’s incongruous to believe Goyder hasn’t asked McLachlan for his input, or more to the point, McLachlan hasn’t offered it.

And so he should as the incumbent.

But it’s fair to say if McLachlan believed Gale was his appropriate replacement, it would’ve happened.

It’s also fair to say Richmond has had, at times, a combative relationship with headquarters in recent years and popular opinion has it that the AFL frowns upon unruly clubs.

Like the time in May, 2021, Gale, and coach Damien Hardwick, were loath to play a home game at Marvel Stadium.

“To have the MCG – one of the world’s great sporting stadiums – empty this weekend just makes no sense. We should be playing at the MCG,” Gale said.

“Playing at Marvel this weekend will minimise crowds and that goes against everything the industry wants to deliver. We want fans at games.”

Hardwick added post game: “Mate, I hate coming here. I probably shouldn’t say that.’’

Damien Hardwick and Gale have had a combative relationship with the AFL in recent years. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

There was also Richmond’s frustration at the hubs set up, and the late-night punch up at the kebab caravan, and the breaking of curfew, one of them being by the wife of then Tigers captain Trent Cotchin.

In searching for reasons as to why Gale has seemingly been overlooked for the role, there’s a suggestion that some at the AFL have a set against Gale’s wife, Jane.

It sounds crazy, but club bosses have heard the scuttlebutt and so, too, have some in the media.

Jane Gale is a warm, engaging and enthusiastic person who speaks her mind and – if the suggestion is true – maybe that’s too much of a handful for the AFL.

If she has played any part in her husband being overlooked for the job, it says more about the AFL than it does Jane.

At the start of the 2022 season, and in an interview with this newspaper, McLachlan was bemused by questions about his relationship with Gale, and whether he had any issues with the Tigers, as was suggested through the club’s tumultuous 2021 season.

“Zero issues,’’ McLachlan said.

On Gale, he said: “From my perspective, he’s an excellent chief executive and he and I have a great relationship and we’re friends. I think we’re friends.’’

Could he do your job? “Yes. Clearly it has to be the best person, but I think being a club chief executive means you’re more qualified than less qualified.’’

But not qualified enough, apparently.

Just wondering if this got much of a run on Melbourne radio today or was everything about Tassie Albo and the 240m?

 

[Muddiemoose]

He'd be in Melbourne every second week nearly anyway for a couple days.

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What about his wife and kids?

 

[Al Heimer]

Robbo is correct.

Robbo lost the 'Slobbo' tag on this one.


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[Dr Tigris]

That Robbo wrote that is amazing!!

That seems to me to indicate that the Club Presidents (caps deliberately put in) are going after the Boys Club. He absolutely goes the jugular here, with some nuance.

Peggy says " I don't know what is going on here. I'm just a confused lady, who turned my club from a basket case into a powerhouse. And when I speak to the other club presidents and other power brokers they are also so confused. Pity I am retired as President so I can say this and it isn't from Richmond or any club in particular".

Robbo says "reportedly, Presidents say that the AFL has a "more dysfunctional and vanilla commission table, and one bereft of football IQ". And the Presidents are after blood.

For someone who always speaks the AFL line this is incredible. It sounds like the clubs are sick of the &h*t and want to clean house. Mayeb Benny as AFL CEO isn't quite dead yet. And it does sound like our frustrations with the AFL are felt at the top of clubland.

 

[captain blood 17]

There was talk today of Gale being headhunted to do his role for the new Tassie team. I hope he tells them to GAGF. Gil's job or stay a tiger.

 

[Daka]

With the way Richmond are at the moment we need Gale more than ever.

 

[Truetiger]

There was talk today of Gale being headhunted to do his role for the new Tassie team. I hope he tells them to GAGF. Gil's job or stay a tiger.

If he wants to leave, I wouldn’t be standing in his way. Gale will always be a tiger and a major reason for the 3 premierships. Tassie need the best he is very much it lol.

 

[DickieKnee]

There was talk today of Gale being headhunted to do his role for the new Tassie team. I hope he tells them to GAGF. Gil's job or stay a tiger.

It's all over the news here in Tassie Gale is tipped for the Tassie job. I personally can't see it. How long has he lived in Melbourne? He's originally from North West Tassie (Burnie) and the new Tassie team is going to be based in Hobart. He would be well entrenched in Melbourne, couldn't see him moving personally, it's not like he'd be hard up for a job, he'd get heaps of offers if he chose to leave Richmond.

 

[captain blood 17]

It's all over the news here in Tassie Gale is tipped for the Tassie job. I personally can't see it. How long has he lived in Melbourne? He's originally from North West Tassie (Burnie) and the new Tassie team is going to be based in Hobart. He would be well entrenched in Melbourne, couldn't see him moving personally, it's not like he'd be hard up for a job, he'd get heaps of offers if he chose to leave Richmond.

Yeah, my gut was wondering if this was a lazy piece of journalism where they are just looking at whose a Taswegian and went from there.

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

Lazy and/or not it's a pretty good starting point...

 

[RJK Tiger]

So Benny Gale isn't going to be the AFL CEO....shock horror

It was never a chance, was always going to go to the most loyal Himmler in the crew. Cannot see this guy ever fixing the game

 

[rfctigerarmy]

Needs to be part of the boys club to get the CEO gig

 

[Black Panther]

Gale apparently in Hobart today for the Tassie team announcement

 

[Bird Man]

Gale apparently in Hobart today for the Tassie team announcement

what does that mean? Gale to be the CEO of Tasmania ?

 

[A Tiger 4 lyf]

Best thing for Tassie Team would be to have Benny the main man


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[Tzatziki_Man]

Richmond will be dead and buried soon enough. We've been picked apart by the vultures

 

[domin8]

Richmond will be dead and buried soon enough. We've been picked apart by the vultures

That’s why happens when you build a dynasty from scratch through compromised periods of drafting and recruiting. I take it as a compliment

 

[domin8]

what does that mean? Gale to be the CEO of Tasmania ?

Jack has gone over as well

 

[Rioli2Rioli]

For Gale to take the tassie role that effectively ends any aspirations he has for a bigger job , Nothing to be gained apart from 'feel good about tassie'

If he moves it should be to the AFL to become the head honcho in 6-7-8 years when dillon has enough if he does


Surprised not too much has been mentioned here about Andrew Dillon being a Richmond supporter

 

[fargothegreat]

For Gale to take the tassie role that effectively ends any aspirations he has for a bigger job , Nothing to be gained apart from 'feel good about tassie'

If he moves it should be to the AFL to become the head honcho in 6-7-8 years when dillon has enough if he does


Surprised not too much has been mentioned here about Andrew Dillon being a Richmond supporter

The AFL is currently trying to get Gale on board as Dillon's 2IC, which means he has a fair chance of succeeding him down the track.

 

[Rioli2Rioli]

The AFL is currently trying to get Gale on board as Dillon's 2IC, which means he has a fair chance of succeeding him down the track.

Fantastic

We will have 2 Tigers men at AFL House

 

[smasha]

Richmond will be dead and buried soon enough. We've been picked apart by the vultures

Whateley the worm trying his hardest to remove our coach as well.

 

[wegetpumped]

There was talk today of Gale being headhunted to do his role for the new Tassie team. I hope he tells them to GAGF. Gil's job or stay a tiger.

He would be the right man for them. Tassie man who would run that club proper? I suspect Jack might head over for some coaching job also unless he goes media full-time.

 

[Del65166]

The AFL is currently trying to get Gale on board as Dillon's 2IC, which means he has a fair chance of succeeding him down the track.

Gale would be a good person to set up the New team. Both From tassy and great record as administrator of a club.

Could gale be 2IC and first task is setting up the new team?