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Laura Kane will be appointed the executive general manager of football as the AFL charts a new course under CEO-elect Andrew Dillon.
An AFL source, who could not speak publicly until the official announcement was made, confirmed the historic decision had been made to elevate Kane to the position she had been acting in since Dillon won the CEO role at the end of April.
Laura Kane’s appointment as executive general manager of football operations will be announced this week. Credit: AFL Photos
The AFL attempted to lure Richmond CEO Brendon Gale to the league in an expanded role that would have seen him oversee parts of the football portfolio, but the former player decided to stick with the Tigers as they work to appoint a new coach.
Kane has impressed club officials and the league with her performance in the role, having arrived at the AFL in November 2021 in charge of competition management after five years working in football operations with North Melbourne alongside now Essendon coach Brad Scott and then football manager Cameron Joyce.
She has had to deal with everything from the lights failing mid-game at the Gabba to St Kilda coach Ross Lyon’s public complaint about the roof being open before a game at Marvel Stadium. Kane was then heavily involved in discussions that followed the controversial decision to award the Crows a behind late in their game against Sydney in round 23.
Before joining the Kangaroos, Kane had worked as a lawyer with Waller Legal while being heavily involved in football with Melbourne University Women’s Football Club, where she served as president for five years and remained on the board until she joined the AFL. She had played centre half forward for the club in her early 20s before coaching and then becoming an administrator.
Her appointment signals ongoing change in the AFL industry, with several women now holding key positions with three female presidents at AFL clubs, Kate Roffey, Kylie Watson-Wheeler and Sonja Hood, and Jen Watt the CEO at North Melbourne. Kylie Rogers, Sarah Fair and Tanya Hosch are on the AFL executive.
The official announcement of Kane’s appointment is expected to occur this week.
The Age contacted Kane who was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.
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