The 2024 season is likely to be Brendon Gale’s last as Richmond CEO.
That is according to veteran journalist Caroline Wilson who is of the understanding that Gale is set to take up the chief executive role with the new Tasmanian team.
Gale, a product of Burnie, has overseen a drastic turnaround at Punt Road since taking over as CEO back in 2009 which included a run of three premierships in four seasons between 2017 and 2020.
However, the Tassie team wants him to head up their ascent into the AFL amid uncertainty surrounding many aspects including the proposed stadium at Macquarie Point in Hobart.
“I believe it’s the end of an era for the Richmond Football Club - the end of the Brendon Gale era,” Wilson said on Channel 9’s Footy Classified.
“My understanding is that Brendon’s departure is imminent. His contract clause says, I believe, that he needs to give the club six months notice to leave.
“I think (President) John O’Rourke and his Board will try and convince Brendon to stay a little longer, but I believe he will be CEO of Tasmania by the start of 2025.
“In other words, this will be Brendon’s last season (at Richmond).
“The Tasmanian Board is very keen, Grant O’Brien and his team, to get Brendon on board at the start of next season.
“Clearly there’s an election at the moment, there’s mess around the stadium, they want a key man in charge, as do the AFL to run the list management three years out, the start of a women’s team two or three years out, the stadium issues, the government issues, commercial etcetera.
“It’s an enormous coup.
“It’s the best of three decades now at Richmond, 15 as CEO, 12 as a player. I’m not saying it’s time and the Board certainly don’t believe it’s time and I think Brendon Gale has certainly addressed his plans with the Board while not actually announcing it.
“I understand he has a succession plan in place if his successor is internal, but the club will probably go to market as well.”
Gale was long linked to the AFL CEO position during the latter stages of Gillon McLachlan’s tenure but that job ultimately went to Andrew Dillon.
He played for the Tigers from 1990 to 2001, was the chief of the AFL Players’ Association from 2005 to 2009, before returning to Richmond in August of 2009.
With Gale’s likely exit, the key figureheads of the club’s recent successful era will all have moved on including triple premiership coach Damien Hardwick, captain Trent Cotchin and vice-captain Jack Riewoldt, among others.
"My understanding is that Brendon Gale's departure is imminent."
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) March 11, 2024
Caroline Wilson believes this will be the celebrated Richmond CEO's last season at Tigerland, with Gale set to join the Tasmanian team. #9FootyClassified | CH9 & 9Now pic.twitter.com/3X3reEhp63
