News Brendan Gale to Tasmania

[db26]

https://archive.md/7b33I#selection-3519.0-3523.424

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A top Cat departs without a new home to go to. What’s behind the call?​

BySam McClure​

On Wednesday afternoon, as the who’s who of Melbourne’s football industry touched down in Adelaide for the second instalment of the AFL’s Gather Round, some rather surprising news broke down the highway in Geelong.
Decorated football administrator Simon Lloyd has left the club, just months into a new commercial role, without another job lined up.
Both Lloyd and the Cats have made clear the decision was mutual, but it’s unusual for someone in Lloyd’s position to make such an abrupt departure, especially at this point in the season. So what was behind the call?

Lloyd, the brother of Essendon legend Matthew and Carlton’s head of football Brad, was the long-time football boss at the Cattery, where he helped lead Geelong to a second premiership under coach Chris Scott in 2022.
Months after the flag and with Lloyd looking to further his career, he came close to securing the chief executive role at North Melbourne, although it ultimately went to Melbourne Cricket Club executive Jennifer Watt.
A senior source at North Melbourne, who wouldn’t be quoted publicly because of the sensitivity regarding employment matters, told The Scoop that Lloyd was given feedback at the time that the club would have liked to have seen greater commercial experience on his CV.
After that, Lloyd remained football boss at Geelong for one more season before moving into a new role at the club – general manager of commercial projects – in mid-September last year.


In a statement at the time, the club said: “his new position will create an opportunity for Simon to leverage his expertise and strength from football and transfer those skills and experience to commercial elements of our club, in particular diversification.”
But now, just a month into the new season, Lloyd is departing. A source close to Lloyd, who didn’t want to be publicly quoted, said the veteran administrator wanted to tackle a more challenging role.
He may not have another job lined up, but that doesn’t mean offers aren’t on the horizon. The Scoop jumped on the phone to Lloyd shortly after the news broke.
“We’re only two hours since it’s been released ... yeah, I’m open to taking calls from other clubs,” Lloyd chuckled, careful not to mention which teams had been on the blower.

“I’m really respectful of roles but understand the nature of the industry. For me, it’s in the blood, so I’ll still explore other opportunities outside of football, but I must say it is a privilege working in this industry.
“I feel like it’s an industry I understand intimately and passionate about and exploring future opportunities within the AFL.”
Lloyd has three children. His eldest is studying at university in Melbourne, he has another in year 12 next year and his youngest has just started high school.
“We’ve travelled in the past, we lived in WA when I worked at the Dockers for six years, so we are open to all opportunities.”
It will be interesting to see how the competition reacts to Lloyd’s departure.



“I will look back fondly on my Geelong journey, the challenges navigated and the continuous striving for improvement that culminated in the ultimate club success. I’m proud to have set strong foundations in various roles for Geelong to succeed on and off the field,” Lloyd said.
His 25 years in the AFL across four different clubs form part of a sparkling resume. Of his six years at the helm of Geelong’s football department, the Cats played finals five times and won a premiership.

Whether it’s as a chief executive, a head of football or even a consultant, Lloyd’s experience and expertise is sure to be called upon sooner rather than later.
Geelong CEO Steve Hocking said: “We brought Simon to the club because of his extensive experience in leadership, his commitment to transformation and his care for culture. Simon has demonstrated a unique ability to influence individuals and large groups to optimise performance and achieve goals at the elite level. We’ve been grateful for his passion and dedication to our football programs and broader club as a business.”

Maybe lined up with us.

 

[mauricerioli]

Just like Dimma, poached with afl involvement is likely and with not even 1/3 of the season gone, he's outta hear.

Within the hour, the Tassie job is confirmed.

It's a disgraceful look.

Our most critical off field leaders can't wait to get out of the place.

He’s not outta here after 1/3 of the season, he’s staying until the end of the year and has kept the club informed the whole way.

We now have plenty of time to search for his replacement.

Nothing like Dimma at all.

 

[smasha]

cfl has poached our whole club

CFL will now work on moving our Tassie Tigers to Tassie while shielding Tassie players from other clubs.

 

[Tigerbob]

Are you saying Blair will be following Gale to Tasmania?


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

I’m almost certain.

 

[cairo tiger]

he came in when we were flicked and leaves with 3 flags. he’s now leaving us flicked. well and truly checked out.

 

[Bird Man]

Deserves a statue.

This hurts no less than losing our flag heroes but it was always going to happen

no he doesn't

 

[SunshineBoy]

Tassie could've waited a day or two to announce his appointment the flogs

CFL directive

 

[Lord of the Wings]

no he doesn't

Agree - Could probably pay for it himself if he did get one though given the $10 million plus he would have taken out of the joint and the millions the CFL are giving him to do the Tassie job

 

[Freddy Swift]

Maybe lined up with us.

Mightn’t be the worst thing that could happen. As much as I hate Geelong you can’t say they aren’t well run.

 

[Groupie_]

Mightn’t be the worst thing that could happen. As much as I hate Geelong you can’t say they aren’t well run.

he is not a Richmond supporter

like clinton casey

 

[Ctl]

https://archive.md/kFCCl

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/...k=4aee6a283e793d392fe4260978eef231-1715329837

O’Rourke said on Friday the club would hire a headhunting form but also look internally for a replacement.
He has already spent time having a series of coffee dates with potential contenders for Gale’s role.

A quartet of ‘Simons’ will all be scrutinised – ex-St Kilda CEO Simon Lethlean, ex-Geelong football boss Simon Lloyd, Richmond executive Simon Matthews and Cats chief financial officer Simon Kelleher.
All have claims for the role, while current Geelong and former AFL executive Marcus King could also be considered.

The AFL’s commercial boss Kylie Rogers was also seen as a potential candidate for Hawthorn’s vacant role last year.
She would like to one day be the AFL’s chief executive and a stint as an AFL club chief executive would give her the football aspect of her resume that would put her in position to succeed Dillon.

 

[Daka]

I think Simon Lloyd would be a good appointment, he is a football person been around it a long time.

 

[Groupie_]

I think Simon Lloyd would be a good appointment, he is a football person been around it a long time.

have we ever had a non Richmond person ceo ?

 

[partycorolla]

Nothing to say other than thank you Benny. Played a huge role in making something I never thought I'd see happen, become a reality.

 

[Lacustrus]

he can take teague and rutto, ill drive them to the spirit

You been on that thing? Its like a floating RSL…

 

[Groupie_]

You been on that thing? Its like a floating RSL…

not since 1998

 

[Truetiger]

You know what. I don't feel anything but happiness for him. He's returning back home to start something new, after delivering to us a golden period of time in the modern football era. Glad for him. The golden age is ending and a better one will emerge soon.

Just like Dimma, poached with afl involvement is likely and with not even 1/3 of the season gone, he's outta hear.

Within the hour, the Tassie job is confirmed.

It's a disgraceful look.

Our most critical off field leaders can't wait to get out of the place.

Really it was a given once Tasmania had any chance of getting a licence. No issue with it in regards to Gale. Good luck to him.

 

[tigerfan1961]

Hope we are sounding out SHocking

 

[beema limapep]

Really it was a given once Tasmania had any chance of getting a licence. No issue with it in regards to Gale. Good luck to him.

Are you okay if the club acts in the same way to the players and force retires say Grimes and Prestia ahead of the mid season draft?

Tells them, your not going to get games so take your contract money and go?

The club is bigger than the individual after all, and it's a given eventually as you say.

 

[beema limapep]

Hope we are sounding out SHocking

 

[lizard man]

Gale already telling banks and Campbell tales of brown paper bags to entice them to come home in a few years when Tassie arrives

 

[Groupie_]

Gale already telling banks and Campbell tales of brown paper bags to entice them to come home in a few years when Tassie arrives

they'll be delisted by then

 

[tigerdan]

I appreciate all he did as an administrator and a player.

When Tassie fold he can come back.

 

[Lord of the Wings]

Gale already telling banks and Campbell tales of brown paper bags to entice them to come home in a few years when Tassie arrives

He can have Banks

 

[tigs2010]

What happened to that campaigner? Just disappeared

Did he ever speak out against afl and get the concrete boots off a long pier treatment