GILLON McLachlan will be standing down as AFL chief executive at the end of the year.

AFL commission chairman Richard Goyder has just told the 18 club presidents and CEOs that McLachlan has made the call to leave the post, after eight seasons in charge.

It is believed McLachlan has committed to completing the complicated processes attached to new Collective Bargaining Agreements for the women’s and men’s competitions, as well as finalising new club-funding models and a fresh broadcast deal, which expires at the end of 2024.

His departure will leave a massive hole for the game, particularly as it emerges out of two COVID-impacted seasons.

The AFL commission will run a detailed process to identify his replacement.

Within the AFL executive, Travis Auld, who has worked closely with the clubs and in constructing recent TV deals, will be a leading candidate, while Western Bulldogs president Kylie Watson-Wheeler and Richmond CEO Brendon Gale are also expected to be people of immediate interest.