Senior management at the West Coast Eagles have joined the chorus of AFL clubs in acknowledging the remarkable contribution to the game by retiring Chief Executive Officer Gillon McLachlan.

While McLachlan will continue to steer the AFL until the end of the year, Eagles Chief Executive Trevor Nisbett and Chairman Russell Gibbs paid tribute to the role he has played in the evolution of the game.

“Gill has been at head office for 22 years, the last nine as Chief Executive and has done a wonderful job,” Nisbett said. “I have worked closely with him during that time and while we did not always agree on issues affecting our club and the game, our conversations were always respectful and cordial.

“He has overseen some enormous challenges during his time in the CEO’s seat, not the least of them the last three years as the AFL and AFLW competitions have navigated their way through the unchartered waters of the COVID pandemic.

“Our game has come through relatively unscathed and has even managed to prosper during this time. We look forward to continuing to work with Gill and the AFL over the remainder of 2022, with so many big tickets items still on his ‘to-do’ list, including the broadcast rights for the AFL and AFLW competitions.

“Gill has not only been a greatly respected colleague, a true visionary but also a valued friend.” 

Gibbs was similarly glowing in his appraisal of McLachlan, complementing him on the legacy he will leave.

“Our game has evolved so far in Gill’s reign as the CEO,” Gibbs said. “My time as chairman of the West Coast Eagles and Gill’s ascension to the senior administrative role at league headquarters have run virtually parallel.

“It has been as pleasure working with him and we wish him our very best as he contemplates the next chapter – undoubtedly after taking a breath and enjoying some family time.

“From a West Australian perspective, he will always be associated with one of the great sporting events in our history – bringing the AFL Grand Final to Perth last season. As a club it would have been great to have been a part of that, but the impact it had on the game on this State was amazing and on-going.”