Laura Kane's footy role split in major changes at AFL HQ
Laura Kane's job as head of AFL football operations will be split into two roles amid widespread executive changes at league headquarters.
Kane, who has become a lightning rod for criticism this season, will stay as football operations boss.
A separate role will be created to head football performance.
Also on Thursday, AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon confirmed reports this month that inclusion and social policy manager Tanya Hosch will leave after nine years at the league.
Hosch has been at the forefront in areas such as Indigenous issues and gender diversity.
Once she leaves on June 6, the existing corporate affairs portfolio will include First Nations engagement and inclusion, as well as media, communications and sustainability.
The AFL is on the hunt for a new corporate affairs manager and a chief operating officer.
Kane will continue to oversee the AFL and AFLW, plus the VFL and VFLW and a newly-formed medical and healthcare team that will oversee areas including mental health and concussion.
The football performance manager's portfolio will include areas including match review, umpiring, game analysis, laws of the game and club engagement.
'The game is the reason we exist; it is as big and as good as it has ever been, and the AFL football department must continue to evolve,' Dillon said.
'It must be structured, resourced and led in a way that can ensure everyone - the clubs, players, coaches, umpires and officials - can continue to perform at the highest possible level.
'Laura will continue to play a major leadership role within the AFL, but the overall responsibility has grown so much that the traditional leadership role for an individual executive in footy is no longer the best model.'
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