Craig Drummond endorsed as the next AFL Commission chair

Former Geelong president Craig Drummond is set to replace Richard Goyder as the next chairman of the AFL Commission.

Drummond has been endorsed by the nominations committee searching for Goyder’s replacement, with AFL presidents informed of the decision at a meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

“In accordance with the AFL constitution, his nomination will be presented to AFL clubs at the commission’s March AGM, with the appointment of chair a formal decision of the commission,” an AFL statement read.

Drummond was preferred ahead of former Collingwood president Jeff Browne and two-time former Western Bulldogs president and AFL legal advisor Peter Gordon.

Goyder, who has been chairman since succeeding Mike Fitzpatrick in 2017, announced in September that he would step down in March, 2026.

Initially, he had pushed to commence another term as chairman, which surprised fellow commissioners. Club presidents who doubted his intention to vacate the role added to the pressure on Goyder to declare a firm position.

The nominations committee, comprising commissioners and club presidents in consultation with a recruitment firm, was given the task of identifying Goyder’s successor, but clubs became frustrated that the committee could not agree on a suitable replacement and pressed for a greater say in the process.

Drummond was president of Geelong for four years (2021-2024) and a board member for 13 years, a term which has included the 2022 premiership and the completion of the Joel Selwood Stand at the redeveloped stadium in Kardinia Park.

He was CEO of Medibank and has worked in finance at NAB, JB Were, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs. He is the presently chair of Transurban Group, Australian Foundation Investment Group (AFIC), the Ian Potter Foundation and a director of Ramsay Healthcare.

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“Our national game is in great shape, but we can’t afford to stand still,” Goyder said of the handover.

“The commissioners and I have every confidence that when my term ends in March, Craig is the right person to lead a new era of growth and engagement with our fans, our clubs, and our broadcast partners.

“Craig has a deep understanding of football, combined with proven business and leadership capability.

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