The VAFA congratulates Andrew Dillon on his appointment to the role as CEO of the AFL. 

Dillon is a product of the Old Xaverians, and moved through the ranks within the AFL since commencing there in 2000.

Dillon will now act as the CEO-elect for the remainder of the season, officially taking the reins on October 2, marking the conclusion of the AFL’s hunt for McLachlan’s replacement that began in April last year. 

“I am honoured and truly humbled to lead the greatest game in the world into its next phase,” Dillon said in a statement to the AFL on Monday.

“Football has been a defining part of my life and it is a privilege to be able to lead the industry in ensuring our game remains relevant, accessible and welcoming to all Australians.

As a player, Dillon was a long-striding pacy onballer and defender and one of the four players who featured in all of Old Xavs’ straight six premierships between 1995 and 2000. 

In his final two premierships, he played alongside his brother Rob.

CEO of the VAFA, Jason Reddick told VAFA Media of his thrill with the AFL’s appointment “On behalf of the entire VAFA community, we congratulate Andrew on his very worthy appointment as AFL CEO.”

“Andrew is a person with a rich history in the VAFA as both a player and coach, which extends back through his father John being a former President and current life member of the VAFA.”

“We are equally as excited that Andrew has highlighted his focus on supporting community football and we look forward to continuing to work with him and his team at AFL House.” he said. 

Creative and fearless, Dillon played 290 games in Red ‘n’ Black, commencing in 1989. 

He represented the Big V on two occasions, and served on the club committee for a number of years, during which time he oversaw the overhaul of the club’s constitution.

Universally liked by his contemporaries and younger players arriving at the club, and admired by the club’s legion of supporters, Dillon made an indelible mark on the culture of the club.

“We are a game for everyone.”

Andrew Dillon speaks for the first time as AFL CEO-elect.

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— AFL (@AFL) May 1, 2023

Career background:

• Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Melbourne and a post-graduate diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia.
• Undertook Articled Clerkship at Corrs Chambers Westgarth in 1994 and was subsequently employed as a solicitor in Corrs’ Commercial Division.
• Worked as in-house legal counsel at Village Roadshow Limited from from October 1997 to August 2000.
• Joined the AFL in August 2000 as Legal Counsel
• July 2004 was appointed General Manager – Legal and Business Affairs
• December 2011 was appointed as General Manager of National and International Development and General Counsel.
• In 2013 was Appointed General Manager, Legal, Integrity and Compliance in addition to General Counsel.
• In March 2017, in addition to the role of General Counsel, General Manager of Integrity and Compliance, Dillon took on the responsibility of Game Development, which saw him responsible for all the community and state football leagues, community and state football facilities and infrastructure and the relationships with all AFL state bodies.
• In July 2021, Dillon acted as Executive General Manager Football Operations in addition to his other duties and was formally appointed to his current position in September 2021.
• Board Director at Fight MND, Champion Data, Bachar Houli Foundation

• 290 games with Old Xaverians Football Club in the VAFA (1989-2005), playing in six A Grade Premierships and Life Member of the club.
• Represented VAFA on two occasions.
• Two Reserves game with Mansfield in Goulburn Valley Football League 2011
• Served as an Old Xaverians Committee member from 1998 to 2003
• Assistant Coach at Old Xavs 2011-212, and has coached Kew Comets junior Girls football 2014 – 2018