AFL Chief Andrew Demetriou to Step Down

Australian Football League (AFL) chief Andrew Demetriou has announced he will step down from his position at the end of the season.

He will leave the game after 11 years as the game’s most powerful figure, with his decision to resign coming after his most challenging 12 months, which was dominated by the Essendon supplements scandal.

Demetriou, who took over from Wayne Jackson as League CEO in 2003, served as chief executive of the AFL Players Association between 1998 and 2000 and was then AFL football operations manager.

He announced his impending departure at a media conference with League chairman Mike Fitzpatrick.

Demetriou said he told Fitzpatrick of his intention to quit when they were both at the NFL Super Bowl on February 2, having held discussions on a transition since 2012.

“Every organisation needs renewal, needs a new set of eyes.

“I’ve always said it was a privilege and an honour to serve the game.

“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.”

And he noted, “I leave the game with no regrets.”

Demetriou hoped the year-long anti-doping saga surrounding Essendon would not taint his legacy.

“That will be for others to judge.

“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).”

{jcomments on}