2013 Demetriou's toughest year

Andrew Demetriou suffered through a tough AFL year. Source: DAVE HUNT / AAP

THERE is no question that Andrew Demetriou's 10th year in charge at AFL House has been his toughest.

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In an Open Mike interview with Mike Sheahan, to air on Fox Footy at 9pm tonight, Demetriou rattled off a list of strife and scandal.

"We came off Melbourne (tanking investigation), Adelaide (salary cap infringement and draft tampering), Essendon (supplements), we had an issue with St Kilda with Stephen Milne (being charged with rape) and we had Nathan Lovett-Murray stabbed earlier in the year," he said. "So there were lots of issues, some of them running concurrently."

But in some ways, Demetriou said, the AFL had brought some of that grief on itself.

"I'm not responsible for a club that decides to breach the salary cap; I'm not responsible for a club that decides to have a supplements program; I'm not responsible for a club if it decides to stop trying on its merits," he said.

"We invested back in 2008 in an integrity unit. We invested heavily — millions of dollars, resourcing it with people, surveillance, technology — now we're five years down the track and you are going to find out things.

"We make no apology for finding out things.

Saga ... Suspended Essendon coach James Hird and Bruce Reid. Source: News Limited

"The code is in infinitely better shape for finding out these things than have them happening under the radar."

Demetriou said it was for others to judge his performance after a decade in charge, and cited the redevelopment of Adelaide Oval — which replaces AAMI Stadium as the premier Adelaide stadium next year — as one of the great achievements of his team.

"That was coming from a long way back," he said. "I didn't realise the depth of angst between cricket and football — I didn't understand the history.

"To bring those two together and get support from the State Government and transform the whole precinct — I can't wait for next year."

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Demetriou said improved training and administration bases for all clubs also were big-ticket achievements.

It was put to him that as many as six of those clubs would record financial losses this year — with Brisbane's boardroom stoush now putting the spotlight on its on- and off-field problems.

Demetriou, who sat in on a mediation session with warring Brisbane Lions factions on Tuesday, — the talks will continue — butdenied the club was on life support.

He said financial support for the Lions was contingent on board stability, but that did not equate to the AFL dictating who would run the club.

Asked if he wanted Angus Johnson — being challenged by a group that includes triple premiership coach Leigh Matthews — to remain as chairman, Demetriou said: "No, our position is we want a united board to support a united club.

"We'd love Leigh Matthews to be involved (but) it is quite possible (that Matthews won't join the board while Johnson is chairman)."

Demetriou said he regularly faced questions about when he might move on from the AFL — but said he served at the pleasure of the Commission and had no finish date in mind.

Asked what that meant for heir apparent Gillon McLachlan, Demetriou said he had considered it part of his role to "groom the succession plan".

"He's been made deputy CEO . . . he's a fantastic operator, fantastic person, beyond reproach. I couldn't think of anyone finer, but it is not my decision," he said.

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