Damien Hardwick tips Richmond CEO Brendon Gale to become next AFL boss and replace Gillon McLachlan

Damien Hardwick has backed Richmond boss Brendon Gale to take over as AFL chief executive despite the huge loss it would be for his club.

Gale is one of the early favourites for the job after Gillon McLachlan announced his decision to step down at the end of the season.

The 53-year-old recently re-signed with the Tigers for a further three years but will no doubt be sounded out by the league.

Richmond CEO has been backed to take over as AFL boss by Tigers coach Damien Hardwick

‘Brendon’s a star in my opinion,’ Tigers coach Hardwick said.

‘Whatever Brendon puts his mind to, he’s going to succeed.

‘He’s an aspirational leader, which I love. I love working for him here.’

If Gale lands the AFL role, it will leave Richmond with two huge holes to fill in key off-field positions at the end of the year.

Hardiwck believes Gale would have ‘Richmond’s blessing’ if he was to be offered the role

President Peggy O’Neal has already announced her intention to step down, having helped Gale turn the Tigers from a basket case to competition powerhouse over the last decade.

‘I’m sure he’s got our club’s blessing,’ Hardwick said of Gale.

‘He’s got my blessing but it’s sort of hard to think of our club without him, to be perfectly honest, and it’s the same with Peggy O’Neal.

‘He’s been such a strong supporter of our football department and our club in general.

Gale is one of a few CEOs being considered for the position of AFL boss along with Essendon’s Xavier Campbell and Gold Coast’s Mark Evans

‘I’m sure the AFL will have a very, very good look at him but I reckon they’ll struggle to find a better man than Brendon Gale.’

Gale is one of a few club chief executives considered as possible candidates to succeed McLachlan, along with Essendon’s Xavier Campbell and Gold Coast’s Mark Evans.

Internal AFL candidates include Travis Auld, Kylie Rogers and Andrew Dillon, while MCG boss Stuart Fox and former Australia Post CEO Ahmed Fahour are considered in the mix.

Under Gale’s stewardship, the Tigers have won three premierships in four years

But Gale’s track record makes a compelling case after he has resurrected the Tigers’ finances, coupled with the club winning three premierships, since taking over as Richmond’s chief in August 2009.

Before that, Gale was chief executive of the AFL Players Association from 2005.

He also played 244 games for the Tigers between 1990 and 2001.