FORMER RICHMOND BOARD MEMBER ENDORSES GALE FOR AFL CEO ROLEBy Alex Zaia
SEN
17 May 2022Malcolm Speed says Richmond chief Brendon Gale “has all the characteristics” to replace Gillon McLachlan as AFL CEO.
Gale is viewed as a contender to become the next AFL boss after McLachlan announced in April that he would be stepping down at the conclusion of the 2022 season.
The Tigers have become a powerhouse both on and off the field since Gale’s appointment in August 2009, winning three premierships under his leadership.
Speed, a former Richmond board member, has endorsed Gale as a suitable candidate for the AFL CEO role.
“I don’t know whether he wishes to be a candidate. That’s something I’m not going to presume, that Brendon will be in there,” he told SEN’s Whateley.
“I think Brendon has all the characteristics – he’s a natural leader, he’s strategic, he has great vision, he’s experienced, he’s been at Richmond for 13 or 14 years, before that he was with the AFL players’ association.
“He practiced as a lawyer for a little while, he’s very skilful, he’s managed a relatively large organisation and large budget, and he’s been very, very successful.
“So yes, he’s one of the few people I think in football, in sport, who could do this job.
“I’d like to see him do it. Although as an avid Richmond supporter, I’d also like Brendon to spend the next 40 years at Richmond winning premierships.”
Gale, 53, recently told The Believers: Tasmania’s AFL Journey podcast that he considered resigning after Richmond’s 2020 premiership.
Speed completed his term as a Tigers director early last year and was replaced by former Australian Sports Commission CEO Kate Palmer.
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2022/05/17/former-richmond-board-member-endorses-gale-for-afl-ceo-role/
