Former St Kilda chief executive Brian Waldron has welcomed Mark Anderson’s appointment as Collingwood’s new CEO, believing his credentials are more than suitable for the job.
The former Hockey Australia and Swimming Australia boss, who also has AFL experience after a stint as Essendon’s chief commercial officer between 2005 and 2008, will succeed the outgoing Gary Pert, who resigned in July after 10 years in the position.
Waldron believes Collingwood’s choice is the right one.
“Mark Anderson’s credentials are outstanding,” he told SEN’s Hungry For Sport.
“I think it’s good to get some fresh blood in there. Collingwood is a big club and he’ll have his challenges working with the Collingwood people, but on face value you’d think it’s a very good appointment.”
Despite being strongly linked to the role, former AFL football operations boss Simon Lethlean was overlooked by the Magpies, joining Carlton as clubs that have opted against making the ex-League executive their new CEO this offseason.
Waldron believes the baggage still associated with Lethlean, who was sacked earlier this year after inappropriate relations with a younger female member of staff at AFL headquarters, has forced clubs to look elsewhere.
“He was pushed to clubs that have a level of independence, that like to do their own thing. He wasn’t pushed to clubs that the AFL have a very strong impact on,” he said.
“There’s just other alternatives out there that right now don’t come with the baggage.
“It’s not necessarily something that is going to stay with Simon for a while, he’ll find his niche because he is very talented, but there are others there that don’t come with those issues that we need to deal with in the short term.”