AFL icon Matthew Pavlich is set to be named as new Sydney Swans chief executive officer, in a surprise replacement for outgoing CEO Tom Harley.
The 43-year-old has been working as newsreader for Nine News and a commentator for Fox Footy in Perth in 2025 and hadn't been publicly mentioned as a candidate for the role.
In an announcement to be made by the Swans later today, the Fremantle great will take over from Harley, who left the Swans after five years to become the AFL's chief operating officer.
Pavlich does have experience working within the upper management of an organisation, having been president of the AFL Players Association for three years between 2015-18.
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He also co-founded Launchd - a talent, technology and brand partnership - while also was a part of creative services organisation PMY Group.
"It honestly wasn’t on my radar, but the Swans are a highly successful and respected club and after talking it through with Lauren and our three kids, we knew it was an opportunity too good to pass up," Pavlich told The Age.
"I’ve always admired the Swans from afar. Their culture and history of success has the respect of the footy world and I can’t wait to contribute to that."
South-Australian born Pavlich played 353 games for the Dockers between 2000-16, captaining the club for nine seasons, earning six All-Australian blazers and nine Fremantle best-and-fairest awards.
"He is a champion of our game and brings to the club a wealth of football experience both from a playing, as well as an administrative, perspective," Sydney chairman Andrew Pridham told The Age.
"Not only did he play more than 350 games at the highest level, he served for more than 11 years on the AFL Players’ Association Board, including three years as President, and was also an advisor on the AFL Laws of the Game Committee for two years.
"We believe he will fit in well with the Sydney Swans culture and bring his own unique insights and perspectives that will benefit the club moving forward."