Garry Lyon believes Richmond’s Brendon Gale will be the next CEO of the AFL.
The Tigers overnight announced another year of record membership, hitting a mammoth 103,358.
Gale has overseen three premierships in four years and Lyon made the call on SEN Breakfast.
“(Brendon Gale) is the next CEO of the AFL. I’m declaring it,” Lyon said.
“If you were to lock me (into a date), I would say 2023.”
Current AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan last week admitted he is entering the latter half of his tenure.
“As a chief executive, you’ve got your run at it,” he told SEN WA.
“I think eight to 10 years is what feels to me about right if everything goes well.
“I’ve done seven years and I’ve got some stuff to do, but I think it has its time.
“At the moment, I’m still enjoying it and I’ve got things to do, but I’m certainly in the second half (of my tenure) no doubt.
“You’re conscious with public life that there is a lifespan, but I’m enjoying it. I’ve been very lucky.
“It’s a position of great privilege because this game means so much to so many people and I’ve been very lucky.”