hei yu
25th Jul 2003, 21:34
From "The Age" Melbourne Friday 25 July
Airline boss in the running
By Karen Lyon
July 25 2003
International businessman Rod Eddington, the chief executive of British Airways, last night emerged as a surprise runner in the race to become the new chief executive of the AFL.
The search to replace Wayne Jackson intensified, with Eddington joining the league's football operations manager Andrew Demetriou, Geelong chief executive Brian Cook and West Australian football commissioner Neale Fong as candidates for the job.
Yesterday, the presidents and chief executives of the AFL's 16 clubs met in Melbourne, many expecting to hear that Demetriou would replace Jackson in the coming weeks. Instead, they were told by the chairman of the AFL Commission, Ron Evans, that the hunt would continue possibly for another fortnight. "The AFL Commission has interviewed four potential candidates this week and we anticipate an appointment will be made during the next week or two," Evans said in a statement.
Wayne Jackson confirmed yesterday that four candidates were interviewed on Monday, but would not reveal the identity of the fourth.
Speculation continued that Ford president Geoff Polites remained in the mix. However, Polites again last night strongly denied this to The Age.
Eddington, who is in the UK, could not be contacted last night. The Perth-born executive is a Rhodes Scholar and has a love of AFL and cricket.
He is a passionate supporter of Fremantle and a former board member of the Dockers. He is also on the board of News Ltd - a major backer of the AFL.
Demetriou appeared unfazed about the delay in announcing Jackson's successor. "I understand there is a process in place, I am a part of that process and I am pleased to be involved in that process," he said.
"I am not privy to anymore information than what was discussed at the presidents and chief executives meeting. I have said in the past the AFL is a very public organisation. It is the correct process."
Airline boss in the running
By Karen Lyon
July 25 2003
International businessman Rod Eddington, the chief executive of British Airways, last night emerged as a surprise runner in the race to become the new chief executive of the AFL.
The search to replace Wayne Jackson intensified, with Eddington joining the league's football operations manager Andrew Demetriou, Geelong chief executive Brian Cook and West Australian football commissioner Neale Fong as candidates for the job.
Yesterday, the presidents and chief executives of the AFL's 16 clubs met in Melbourne, many expecting to hear that Demetriou would replace Jackson in the coming weeks. Instead, they were told by the chairman of the AFL Commission, Ron Evans, that the hunt would continue possibly for another fortnight. "The AFL Commission has interviewed four potential candidates this week and we anticipate an appointment will be made during the next week or two," Evans said in a statement.
Wayne Jackson confirmed yesterday that four candidates were interviewed on Monday, but would not reveal the identity of the fourth.
Speculation continued that Ford president Geoff Polites remained in the mix. However, Polites again last night strongly denied this to The Age.
Eddington, who is in the UK, could not be contacted last night. The Perth-born executive is a Rhodes Scholar and has a love of AFL and cricket.
He is a passionate supporter of Fremantle and a former board member of the Dockers. He is also on the board of News Ltd - a major backer of the AFL.
Demetriou appeared unfazed about the delay in announcing Jackson's successor. "I understand there is a process in place, I am a part of that process and I am pleased to be involved in that process," he said.
"I am not privy to anymore information than what was discussed at the presidents and chief executives meeting. I have said in the past the AFL is a very public organisation. It is the correct process."