Offer snubbed
Mclachlan won’t switch codes for CEO position
GILLON McLachlan walked into Andrew Demetriou’s office at AFL headquarters on Monday afternoon to announce he was rejecting the NRL’s $1.5 million-a-year offer.
They held the news back for 24 hours just as rugby league types were about to don their black ties and tuxedos for the sport’s night of nights, the Dally M Medal.
It was seen as a huge victory for the AFL, which has a long history of ambush marketing attacks on other sports, particularly the NRL.
Demetriou denies that was the case. ‘‘We couldn’t announce it on Monday because Gill didn’t want it out there until he’d contacted the people he had been talking to at the NRL,’’ Demetriou said.
‘‘The timing had nothing with the Dally M medal.
‘‘Of course we’re delighted Gill is staying. I admire him as a person and as an administrator who has played an important role in many of our significant commercial outcomes.
‘‘He still has much to contribute to the AFL’s future strategic direction. He had a tough call to make.’’
So the NRL remains without a chief executive going into the finals.
McLachlan issued a short and predictable statement. ‘‘There is still
to do much to achieve at the AFL as we continue to strategically position the code for ongoing growth in popularity and participation.’’
He wouldn’t elaborate on why he knocked back the NRL when contacted last night.
‘‘I don’t want to make a comment. I apologise. I’m keen to leave it at that.’’
He’s told those closest to him it was a tough call he’d wrestled with for a week.
The NRL commission now goes back to the drawing board.
‘‘This is an ongoing process and it is inappropriate to discuss anyone’s position, given the privacy and trust candidates have vested in the Com- mission,’’ said chairman John Grant.
‘‘Making the right appointment for the future of the game remains our goal.’’
Penrith and former TAB boss Warren Wilson pulled out of the race last week but could get another phone call.
Another former candidate, Canterbury’s Todd Greenberg stressed: ‘‘My focus is purely on the Bulldogs.’’
Essendon and former Warriors CEO Ian Robson insists he is not a candidate, despite media reports he was a chance.
‘‘I haven’t met recruitment firm missioners,’’ he said. the NRL, the or the com-