Three-time premiership Tiger Jack Riewoldt has suggested Brendon Gale is no moral to be the Tasmanian Football Club’s first CEO, despite a report earlier this month.
Nine’s Caroline Wilson reported on Footy Classified last week that Gale is set to take up the chief executive position with the newly unveiled Devils, making 2024 his last year in charge of Richmond.
Gale is a Tasmanian and is believed to have only narrowly missed out on becoming the AFL CEO. Riewoldt and Gale spent over a decade together at Punt Road, with the former now an ambassador for the league’s newest licence.
Riewoldt was coy when speaking about Gale’s future on SEN.
“Ahhhh, no,” Riewoldt responded with a laugh when asked if Gale would be the club’s first CEO.
“Clearly, Brendon being a Tasmania and being involved in the AFL in a whole host of facets over his period of time makes him a viable option if you went out and wanted to select one (CEO).
“But I think for us, it’s making sure we’ve got the right person.
“Looking at people like Brendon Gale, his resume speaks for itself. But it’s looking at plenty of people who have worked in football and worked outside of football as well, I don’t think we’ll have much trouble finding people wanting to be the CEO of this organisation and it’s an exciting prospect.
“But it’s certainly a job title and a job people will be clamouring to get at.”
Gale played for Richmond, has been the club’s boss since 2009 and is renowned as one of the league’s sharpest operators.
The Devils’ AFL side intends to play their first game in 2028. While a VFL, women’s and junior side will be formed prior, a CEO isn’t expected to be required until next year.
Tasmania unveiled its colours, name, logo and more on Monday night and have since sold over 80,000 foundation memberships.
And while there are fears it could come crashing down should there be a change in government at the state election this weekend, support for the team is high across Tasmania, according to Riewoldt.
Hobart was chosen as the site to host the 19th licence and stadium but Riewoldt hit back at suggestions the whole state wasn’t unified behind that plan.
“Don’t believe everything you’re told. There’s a story in Tasmania and a story the mainlanders like to run and tell… I reckon there’s a fair narrative pushed,” Riewoldt said.
“If you’ve been on the ground you’d know this state… there certainly isn’t a divide. There’s one team down here and already the supporter and membership numbers shows that.
“The unification of the state is alive and well.”