Clearly not.
NRL out to poach AFL's No. 2 man Gillon McLachlan to replace David Gallop as NRL CEO
Andrew Hamilton
The Courier-Mail
August 17, 20123:45PM
THE NRL are trying to poach the AFL's No. 2 man Gillon McLachlan.
It is understood the committee established by the NRL's newly formed independent commission have made contact with McLachlan about switching codes to serve as the new CEO of the NRL.
David Gallop was sacked as CEO in June following a falling out with ARLC chairman John Grant.
AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou said he did not want to lose McLachlan but was not surprised the rival code had made a play for his highly regarded deputy.
The NRL job might appeal to McLachlan who is ambitious and had seen himself as Demetriou's successor.
And Demtriou's recent claims that he intended to continue in the role may have convinced McLachlan to pursue other opportunities.
Demetriou said today McLachlan was in Sydney yesterday to meet with media partners, not the AFL's biggest rival.
"I don't know (if he is going), I hope not," Demetriou said on 3AW.
"It would be surprising to me if someone hadn't spoken to him, or hadn't approached him because he is a very talented.
"He is a very dedicated AFL person, loves the game and has been a great servant to myself and the game for 12 years.
"I hope he sticks around - absolutely (we would fight to keep him)."
But Demetriou also said he had no plans to step down and pass the batton to McLachlan in the near future.
"My future as far as AFL football is pretty much certain," Demetriou said.
"I have committed myself, I have got unfinished business and I made that statement before I left.
"(I want to stay) indefinitely, because I look forward to the challenges ahead.
"We have got 18 clubs, we want to have 18 sustainable, profitable football clubs.
"There are a lot of challenges going forward - and that is a good thing that they are ambitious."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6452733912