Fremantle great Matthew Pavlich named new Sydney chief following Tom Harley departure
Updated . First published
Sydney has officially unveiled Fremantle great Matthew Pavlich as its new CEO.
He will replace Tom Harley, who has taken the chief operating officer position at AFL House, becoming chief Andrew Dillon's right hand man.
Pavlich played 353 games for Fremantle, kicking 700 goals and has been inducted into the Australian football Hall of Fame.
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Then Fremantle Dockers captain Matthew Pavlich. Getty
He has previously served as the president of the AFL Player's Association and was seen as a frontrunner for the currently vacant CEO position.
Instead he will move his family across the country to the NSW capital.
Pavlich has worked in the footy media since retiring from the Dockers, including as Perth sports presenter for 9News.
"The Sydney Swans is a highly successful, well respected and well managed football club," Pavlich told the club's website.
"It is a big decision to uproot the family and bring them across the country to Sydney, but I am thrilled to be offered the opportunity to lead this great and highly professional club.
"I'm looking forward to working with the club's leaders and playing groups to continue the success of this iconic club over the coming years."
Matthew Pavlich of the Dockers is chaired from the ground by David Mundy and Alex Silvagni. Getty
Sydney chairman Andrew Pridham believes the Freo champion brings a wealth of experience to the role.
"We are delighted to be welcoming Matthew to take on this important role at our club," Pridham told the club's website.
"He is a champion of our game and brings to the club a wealth of football experience both from a playing, as well as an administrative, perspective.
"Not only did he play more than 350 games at the highest level, he served for more than 11 years on the AFL Players' Association Board, including three years as President, and was also an advisor on the AFL Laws of the Game Committee for two years.
"Matthew seamlessly transitioned into business and media, working within his companies, as well as on-air roles at Fox Footy and 9News. Demonstrating his versatility, Matthew has also administered leadership and consulting work within corporate Australia and played hosting roles during the Paris Olympics and the Australian Open."
