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Ex-CEO Demetriou rules out return to the AFL Commission
SEN • June 5th, 2025 10:54 am
Former AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou has ruled out a return to the league’s Commission.
Demetriou’s stance comes amid a turbulent time at AFL House with current CEO Andrew Dillon implementing various changes to the Executive.
Richard Goyder’s position as Chairman has also been questioned by Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy.
While Demetriou is highly rated and served as CEO for over a decade, he doesn’t believe there’s any point in coming back and is enjoying not having a controlling interest in the game.
“No, not for me, thanks, and I'm saying that sincerely,” Demetriou told SEN Sportsday in response to whether he’d consider joining the AFL Commission.
“Once you're gone, you're gone. I don't believe there's any point in going back.
“I'm not getting any younger, and it's a big commitment being on the Commission, I take my hat off to all of them, they go to games, they go to functions.
“After being in the chair for 11.5 years, it's good to have a break from that.
“I'm enjoying having a small involvement in the game, albeit with people I know, and catching up with Gillon McLachlan and Andrew Dillon from time to time and various Commissioners.
“I'm enjoying being outside of the loop, to be honest.”
Another reason why Demetriou has no desire to return is that he feels the AFL is in great shape both on and off the field, crediting those who have been in charge both currently and since his departure in 2014.
“I'll say this, and I'm being sincere, the game's never been in better shape off the field,” Demetriou said.
“You've got some clubs that are obviously financially challenged, but the game itself and the code (is strong).
“It's sitting on an asset at Marvel Stadium that it owns, and the stadium generates significant income.
“The game has never been in better financial health, and that's a great credit to the Commission, the Executive and Gil, who was Andrew's predecessor.
“You can have your complaints about all sorts of things, but you can't complain about the financial state of this code in this country, there's not a code that comes close to it.
“Also on the field, I don't think the game's ever been more competitive… so, I think the game's in great shape, to be honest.”
Listen to Demetriou’s full chat with Gerard Healy and Adam White here.
