'The AFL has dropped the ball': 'Big issue' incoming boss must confront
After the marathon pursuit to find Gillon McLachlan's successor reached its conclusion on Monday, attention has turned to what Andrew Dillon must tackle when he takes the reins as chief executive of the AFL.
Snapping up a head of football, completing the Hawthorn investigation and locking in a start date for Tasmania are among a long list of jobs the league's next leader is awaiting.
As Nine's Footy Classified panel crunched the game's biggest issues on Monday night, leading footy journalist Caroline Wilson flagged the AFL's challenge to strengthen its foothold in New South Wales.
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Wilson's view is the AFL is floundering in its bid to grow the game in the NRL-dominated state.
"The game in New South Wales is just such a big issue and it will only become more important now that Tasmania has got a team," Wilson said.
"The game has significant challenges in Sydney.
Andrew Dillon, the AFL's replacement for outgoing chief executive Gillon McLachlan. Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
"The AFL has dropped the ball there and the clubs in Sydney are frustrated and the broadcasters are angry.
"The state that has one third of the Australian population is providing one or two per cent of the footy talent."
Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd quizzed Wilson on how to fix the problem.
"You've got to promote the game better, for a start," she replied.
"I mean, there was no real promotion of Sydney versus Greater Western Sydney at the SCG (at the weekend).
"The AFL is thinking of moving both derbies to the SCG.
"You start the season in Sydney earlier so it has a chance to take on rugby."
Outgoing AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan. Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
While this year's NRL season began on March 2, as the Eels met the Storm at Parramatta's CommBank Stadium, this year's AFL season didn't start until March 16.
The season's first AFL game in NSW wasn't played until March 19, when Greater Western Sydney faced Adelaide at Sydney Olympic Park.
"The (AFL) season starts too late, (by) two weeks," said Footy Classified host Craig Hutchison.
"You've got to bring one of those (clubs), the Giants or the Swans, forward a week.
"The game is lacking social relevance Monday to Friday in New South Wales.
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"I think the Giants are a drive-in, drive-out team. It's a real problem. They don't live in the community they serve.
"The NRL have got their act together, they're good. No one wants to hear it, but they are."
The Giants celebrate a last-gasp goal in their win over the Swans at the SCG on Saturday. Mark Kolbe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images
Wilson also called on the AFL to hand more power over to NSW.
"I think the other thing is when I was covering footy back in the early 2000s, the job of the AFL NSW boss was an executive role. It's not anymore," Wilson said.
"I mean, they need a much bigger team with a heavier seat at the table."
Hutchison agreed with Wilson.
"You need senior figures from the AFL, not the clubs, in that market, who live there and act for the AFL's interests, not just the clubs," Hutchison said.
Dillon will take over from McLachlan when the AFL season ends.
The 52-year-old will move from his role as AFL general counsel to one of the most significant positions in Australian sport.
