Departing AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson has denied he plans to take on the vacant chief executive role at North Melbourne.
Anderson announced his shock departure on Wednesday at a media conference flanked by AFL boss Andrew Demetriou.
Demetriou paid tribute to Anderson, saying he had enjoyed an outstanding career since taking on the role nine years ago as a 31-year-old.
The league chief said his right-hand man had played a major role in many reforms including in the fields of the anti-doping code, the tribunal and free agency.
“I feel I’ve done most of the key things I wanted to do in this role and it’s time for me now to do something different,” Anderson said.
“I’ve got a couple of ideas but it’s not something I’m going to rush into.
“I haven’t had any discussions with North and I haven’t made any decisions about what I’m going to do next.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate now to speculate on what I might or might not do. In due course, I’ll make an announcement about that.
“I’m not burnt out and I’m looking forward to my next challenge.”
Anderson acknowledged the nature of the AFL football operations job meant he had been required to make unpopular decisions.
“It’s been an incredible privilege for me to work in this role for our great game,” he said.
He said the biggest dangers facing the game were gambling and performance-enhancing drugs.
Demetriou said he had not yet given much thought as to who would replace Anderson at league headquarters.
Anderson joins other senior executives including Rod Austin and Christina Ogg among those to have recently announced their departures.
“It is unfortunate and it is a coincidence,” Demetriou said.
“You can’t keep talented people together.”
Demetriou’s second-in-charge Gillon McLachlan recently knocked back an offer to become the NRL boss.
“Adrian, like several others, have been approached by various codes over the past few months and it hasn’t surprised me because they’re all talented and they’ve got a wealth of knowledge,” Demetriou said.
Demetriou said he regarded himself as having unfinished business in his role as AFL chief.
