How AFL boss Gillon McLachlan is being urged to drop his ‘Melbourne Club superiority complex’ about the game – and be more ‘Rooty Hill RSL’ like his NRL rival Peter V’Landys
- Sources said AFL CEO is struggling to finalise broadcast deal before relaunch
- They claim McLachlan must change his attitude to be more like Peter V’landys
- The NRL relaunch on May 28 and broadcast deal has put the AFL on the back foot
- McLachlan said there would be no problems signing a deal before the relaunch
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has been advised to change his ‘superior’ attitude as critics savage the sport for remaining inactive long after NRL boss Peter V’landys had seized the initiative and got his code back in full swing.
The AFL will belatedly resume its season on Thursday, having given the NRL two vital weeks of no competition for the eyeballs of fans who were eager to watch anything after months of no sport due to the coronavirus.
The polo-playing McLachlan has had to deal with more recalcitrant states in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia and is also struggling to finalise the code’s new broadcast deal.
He would have envied V’landys’ ability to get the sport re-started on May 28 and to have signed a blockbuster TV deal with Fox Sports and Channel 9.
McLachlan is struggling in his role in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, and according to sources who spoke to The Australian, he needs to drop his ‘Melbourne Club’ attitude and become more like his NRL rival, Peter V’Landys, who is more ‘Rooty Hill RSL’.
Sources have claimed AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan (pictured with his wife Laura) is struggling to finalise a new broadcast deal before the season relaunch
‘He’s a great fellow, and he’s great for the game. But if he doesn’t get his way pretty quick, he gets the s**ts,’ they said. ‘He’s surprised the broadcasters aren’t charging in with bucket-loads of money. Until now, he’s been bulletproof.’
McLachlan had enjoyed a good relationship with former Seven West Media chief executive Tim Worner, who co-owns two racehorses with the AFL chief and his commentator brother Hamish, with both referring to the AFL-Seven partnership: Live and Free, and Live and Loaded.
However Worner left the role in August last year, replaced by Tim Warburton.
The NRL have innovated their spectator experience after the COVID-19 crisis through implementing crowd noises in empty stadiums and the fan-in-the-stand initiative.
Crowds will be able to return to NRL matches from next week abiding by the one person for every four square metre rule.
Another source said McLachlan must drop his ‘superiority complex’ in his negotiations with broadcasters and become a more gritty street fighter like V’landys.
Peter V’landys signed a blockbuster new TV deal with the NRL before their relaunch on May 28
‘He’s always felt the AFL is a superior product. But it’s not a master/servant relationship any more: it’s a partnership,’ they said. ‘He’s right: the AFL may be the better sport for dropping ads in. But he’s got to get rid of the superiority complex.’
The AFL’s current six-year $2.5billion broadcast deal finishes after season 2022.
McLachlan told ABC on Friday there would be no problems with signing a deal before the season relaunch.
‘We have got agreements in place. We will be kicking out of the blocks on Thursday, have got great relationships with all of our broadcasters,’ he said.
‘We are working through the impacts of this season. I don’t think anyone should worry about it too much.’
The Richmond Tigers will take on the Collingwood Magpies in front of an empty MCG on Thursday for the first AFL match since March 22.
Dustin Martin chats with Josh Caddy in a Richmond Tigers training session in May. The Tigers will play Collingwood at the MCG in the first AFL match in more than two months on Thursday
The AFL released an open letter thanking fans and broadcasters for their support and patience through the coronavirus period.
‘We know how passionate football supporters are,’ the open letter reads.
‘We have seen how club members have rallied around their clubs during this pandemic – support which has been so important to clubs to be able to navigate through unprecedented times.
‘In a challenging environment, more than one million members have pledged themselves to clubs, knowing their support was vital as we all adjust to a new and different Australia.
‘Thousands and thousands more of our fans are offering their support in any way they can, desperate to cheer their teams again. Thank you to every one of you.
‘Let’s bounce the ball and get started again.’
Daly Cherry-Evans in action for the Manly Sea Eagles against the Parramatta Eels on Saturday