Former AFL chief government Gillon McLachlan is considered one of 12 individuals that can obtain life membership to the league at this yr’s season launch.
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The AFL on Thursday confirmed its checklist of 2024 life members, which included McLachlan after his 20-year full-time service to the AFL.
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McLachlan began because the AFL’s basic supervisor of business operations earlier than being promoted to chief working officer in 2008. Then after two years because the league’s deputy chief government, McLachlan took cost of the AFL in April 2014 — proper within the thick of the fallout to the Essendon dietary supplements saga.
McLachlan left the AFL with a big legacy, highlighted by the introduction of the AFLW competitors in 2017 — and fast-tracking it to be an 18-team competitors by the tip of 2022 — and navigating two Covid-interrupted seasons in 2020 and 2021. He was additionally within the chair when the AFL bought Marvel Stadium in 2016, which considerably helped the AFL financially when the 2020 season was paused because of COVID-19.
As chief government, McLachlan additionally oversaw the introduction of Good Friday footy and the 2 twilight Grand Finals performed throughout the Covid-interrupted seasons, whereas there’s been constant document development in membership membership and northern state curiosity within the sport.
Earlier than departing his place in 2023, McLachlan helped strike a brand new $4.5b TV broadcast rights deal till the tip of 2031, oversaw Tasmania being awarded a nineteenth AFL licence and helped introduce the now-annual Collect Spherical.
McLachlan is considered one of six life members who’ve earned their honours beneath the supply of ‘particular service to the sport’. The opposite 5 are inaugural Giants Chair Tony Shepherd, Geelong Crew of the Century member and 25-year Geelong Falcons expertise Michael Turner, long-time St Kilda medical officer Dr Ian Stone, Essendon premiership participant and administrator Barry Capuano and 300-game aim umpire David Flegg.
Turner handed away with most cancers in December final yr, however was notified of his AFL life membership honour earlier than he died.
Six gamers and umpires robotically certified for all times membership after reaching 300 whole AFL video games throughout the 2024 season. The sport tally consists of pre-season matches and different AFL sanctioned fixtures on prime of dwelling and away season video games.
Retired trio Andrew Gaff, Liam Shiels and Zach Tuohy, in addition to new Roo Jack Darling and twin premiership Cat Mitch Duncan, all handed the 300-game mark final yr.
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Former St Kilda participant Leigh Fisher additionally crossed the brink in 2024. After enjoying 55 video games for St Kilda, Fisher began umpiring AFL matches in 2013, which means he certified for all times membership with a mixed 300-plus video games.
Revered Saints determine and membership life member Georgie Day was awarded the Jack Titus service award for her 45-year dedication to St Kilda. She’s the membership’s heritage co-ordinator, whereas she’s held numerous membership volunteer roles — together with memorabilia and data database creation and being the lead help for AFLW gamers and all incoming Indigenous gamers into the membership — since 1980. Day is the primary feminine recipient of the Titus award because it was inaugurated in 1977.
“Life membership of the AFL is a excessive honour and recognises each high quality of service throughout a few years and an unbelievable love for the sport and help for its development and future success,” AFL chief government Andrew Dillon mentioned.
“Every of our new life members has been a frontrunner for our sport of their work, has supported so many others round them, and been somebody who has modified our sport for the higher.
“We stay up for welcoming them at our season launch in Sydney in March and to have a good time them in entrance of the soccer household as we welcome a brand new yr for our sport.”
LIFE MEMBERSHIP
Gamers: Jack Darling, Mitch Duncan, Andrew Gaff, Liam Shiels, Zach Tuohy
Umpires: Leigh Fisher (55 video games as a participant)
Particular service to the sport: Gillon McLachlan, Tony Shepherd, Barry Capuano, David Flegg, Dr Ian Stone, Michael Turner
JACK TITUS AWARD
Georgie Day