Caroline Wilson gives perception into Laura Kane’s demotion forward of looming soccer boss appointment

Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson has offered some perception into the behind the scenes of the AFL’s choice to demote Laura Kane and herald a brand new head of footy, describing it as “bloodletting”.

The AFL introduced in June that Kane would now not be accountable for areas like umpiring, the MRO, sport growth and rule modifications, with the league set to nominate a brand new particular person for that function, whereas she retains management of sport day logistics, AFLW and the VFL competitions.

It comes after a turbulent yr at AFL Home, together with the latest debacle surrounding Lachie Schultz’s concussion, the umpiring communication concerned, and the three statements it took to get the story straight.

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Wilson described Kane as “stubborn”, however does not doubt that she is a “good operator” behind the scenes, feeling she was pushed too excessive up the ladder too quickly.

“It’s bloodletting. Laura Kane has lost responsibility for the MRO and that judicial side of things and also umpiring and also list management and player transfer rules, etcetera,” Wilson advised Extensive World of Sports activities’ 3AW radio.

“So, all the really meaty football issues, most of them anyway, have been taken away from Laura Kane.

“Laura Kane was performing brilliantly below Brad Scott and below Steve Hocking (in 2022) – after which Hocking went again to Geelong, Brad Scott in all probability would have been promoted into the pinnacle of footy function, however he determined to (coach Essendon).

“Kane was promoted as a result of she’d been such a powerful performer, however wanting again, she was given far too many roles, and that was partly her personal doing. She wished to nonetheless run AFLW, she wished to run expertise, lots of areas that hadn’t at all times been below the remit of the footy boss. That was the primary drawback.

“I believe Laura was a bit cussed. Does not imply she’s not an excellent operator. She needed to be so a lot better as a result of she was 33 when she took on the function and she or he is a girl.

“Cracks appeared early. She was doing the Monday interviews with an AFL Media person about umpiring decisions (in 2024), that all went pear-shaped halfway through last season.

“She wanted a powerful No.2 and I believe she felt Geoff Walsh was pushed upon her as a little bit of gray hair … she did not need that. I do not assume she felt the optics of it had been good. I believe she felt her function can be diminished.

“I think it was the wrong decision by Laura, and although everyone denies there was a power struggle, there was. She put in her man in Nick Carah, who really had very little experience, but was a friend of Laura’s.”

Wilson is not solely blaming Kane for the failings behind the scenes in 2025, saying the AFL govt staff has been a multitude since Gillon McLachlan’s departure as CEO.

“All the other executives around Andrew Dillon were performing poorly. The general counsel Stephen Meade was making so many wrong decisions – Willie Rioli, Ken Hinkley, Jason McCartney, Noah Balta, Jeremy Finlayson, the list goes on,” she mentioned.

“All these things enraged the clubs … It was a perfect storm.

“I believe it was very delicate to demote a girl who had been promoted to that function. It was at all times going to look actually dangerous, however ultimately it simply needed to occur.”

The AFL also announced it was on the hunt for a second in command behind Dillon, with Wilson firmly believing Sydney chief Tom Harley is the man for the role.

“Tom Harley is a no brainer for the AFL COO job, which would supply a succession plan lengthy absent from headquarters,” Wilson said.

“I am listening to that he has some points (with the job), however when you actually need somebody you go after them.”