AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan will stand down from the game’s top job at the end of the season.

An emotional McLachlan thanked his family – wife Laura and their children Edie, Cleo, Sydney and Luna – for their support during his time at the helm, and said it had been “an honour and a privilege to serve this game”.

“It’s the best game in the world. That’s why everyone loves it so much,” he said, pausing to regain his composure.

“The responsibility has never been lost on me and I feel good that the game’s in better shape now than when I took over, but the scoreboard will be for others to judge.

“I’m leaving now because it feels right: right for the AFL, right for me, right for my family. It’s clearly more complicated than that but actually, in simple terms, it’s not. The AFL’s in incredible shape on whatever metric you assess it.

The AFL Commission will run a detailed process for a replacement, who will be the AFL’s fourth CEO in just 26 years.

6PR Breakfast host Gareth Parker said although ‘there had missteps along the way’, McLachlan was able to keep the AFL and its stakeholders afloat during two years of turmoil and financial unknowns, from border closures, staff cuts and floating fixtures.

“He has done a good job, especially navigating the extraordinary pandemic situation over the past two years,” Parker said.

The highly regarded AFL boss is understood to be keen to play a part in nominating his successor.

Press PLAY below to hear Gareth Parker’s thoughts on Gil’s legacy.