The AFL is poised to announce the appointment of a new general manager of football who has never worked at an AFL club and most recently worked with real estate firm Jellis Craig.
Nick Carah, whose AFL experience is as a casual match-day manager, will be appointed to the role of general manager of football operations alongside Josh Mahoney, according to three AFL sources with knowledge of the appointment, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to preempt an announcement.
Nick Carah (left) with Hawthorn premiership player Jordan Lewis.Credit: Instagram
Carah and Mahoney will work in secondary football roles to executive general manager of football Laura Kane, the sources told this masthead.
Some AFL clubs have been eager for better connection with the AFL and a football department liaison with club experience.
Carah was formerly in sales at Macquarie Bank, CEO of Bendigo Bank and until February this year was managing director of Jellis Craig. He remains chair of the Jellis Craig Foundation.
Carah is a life member of Melbourne University Football Club where Kane is also a life member, having played for, coached and been president of Melbourne University Women’s Football Club.
The AFL has been contacted for comment.
Veteran administrator Geoff Walsh, who had been working part-time at the AFL, will be given an enhanced role in the football department.
The moves come as the AFL announced they are also seeking a new second in charge to chief executive Andrew Dillon. The league wants a new chief operating officer to join the AFL executive team; effectively, the role the AFL had wanted former Richmond and inaugural Tasmania Devils CEO Brendon Gale to fill.
The AFL wants a current or former AFL club CEO or senior executive for the job.
Matthew Chun had been acting in the COO role but earlier this year moved to be the chair of Marvel Stadium, overseeing operations there.
The move to hire a new COO from outside recognises that Dillon needs more support at executive level.
“I have made no secret that relationships with the clubs is a key priority and this role continues to reinforce the work the executive team has already done,” Dillon said.
“If we are to remain the No.1 sport in the country, then we need to work hand in hand with the clubs to deliver the best possible experience for our fans, our participants, our people across the industry and our partners.”
The COO will be in charge not only of the league’s strategic and growth plans, but is the lead in relationships with AFL clubs.
AFL general managers David Grossman, Tristan Salter and Simon Kelleher will be within the COO’s team.
Chun is still head of finance, broadcasting and infrastructure so continues to work in broadcast operations and fixturing. Chun had raised eyebrows at the AFL when he hired his son.
“The announcement of a new $3.8 billion stadium in Brisbane, the ongoing stadium build process in Tasmania and the recent success in achieving development permits for the western side of Marvel Stadium are really important projects and all are key priorities for the industry,” Dillon said.
“Matthew’s work in delivering the $225 million Marvel Stadium redevelopment on budget in a way that has transformed the experience for our fans, clubs and patrons will be invaluable in ensuring these projects provide for football into the future.”
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