Australia Rugby League Commission Chair John Grant said that the short list of candidates for the vacant CEO role "has been cut to three" and that list does not include interim boss Shane Mattiske, according to Glenn Jackson of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Grant remained "tight-lipped about the commission's eagerness to hire" Australian Football League COO Gillon McLachlan to the point of "not even admitting that he was one of the candidates remaining" on the short list. Grant did say that the appointment was still several weeks away, which means it is "almost certain the new CEO will not be in the chair until after this season finishes," because of the likelihood of a notice period needing to be served. Grant maintained that "no offer had been made to any candidate." Asked about McLachlan, he said: ''I can't confirm whether I've spoken to anyone." However, he was "happy enough to suggest that McLachlan is well-credentialled." Grant said, ''I think the AFL's been very successful. If Gill McLachlan has contributed to that, then he's done a good job'' (SMH, 8/30).
LOOKING TO CAPITALIZE: In Sydney, Stuart Honeysett noted Grant said that the ARLC was "in a position to offer an appropriate remuneration package for the right candidate." Grant added that the ARLC would be looking for "a strong leader who could capitalise" on the A$1B media rights deal to "help grow business." Grant said, "The key criteria is that they've got to have a really solid commercial background. It's about the footy on the field, which is at the heart of the business, but around that it's about growing a business" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 8/30).
