MIKE Fitzpatrick has resigned after a 10-year stint as AFL Chairman and will be replaced by fellow Commissioner Richard Goyder.

Goyder, who will retire as Wesfarmers chief executive later this year, will step into the AFL's top job on April 4.

Fitzpatrick - a Rhodes scholar and three-time Carlton premiership ruckman - confirmed his departure to the AFL board at a meeting last week.

He said a number of recent events - the Western Bulldogs' premiership, the AFLW launch and early purchase of Etihad Stadium - convinced him it was the right time to depart.

He said the sport's six-year $2.5 billion broadcast deal signed last year was the biggest achievement of his tenure.

"The highlight for me was the signing of the most recent media deal," he said on Wednesday.

"The size of it and the scale of it and what it does for the code is a great achievement."

He also pointed to expansion of the League as the defining issue of his decade at the top.

"When I came on the Commission there was a comfortable group, very comfortable dominating the southern states," he said.

"I felt the only way we could remain the No.1 code over time is looking at establishing more teams in the north.

"We're still not quite there yet (but) the success of GWS last year and the fact there's going to be something like 20,000 members this year shows they're on the right track."

He hands over to a fellow West Australian.

Goyder previously spent five years on the Fremantle board and has been on the AFL Commission since 2012.

The incoming chief said Fitzpatrick would be remembered fondly.

Gillon McLachlan and Mike Fitzpatrick on Wednesday. Picture: AFL Photos


"Mike has cemented his place in the history of our game as a premiership captain, Carlton legend, and outstanding administrator," Goyder said.

"I take over as Chairman with the competition in a very strong position, and I look forward to delivering for our fans, clubs, players and the community to grow and protect the game that so many Australians love."

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said Fitzpatrick enjoyed an "extraordinary tenure".

Goyder will be the first Chairman to live outside Victoria.

Fitzpatrick said both that fact, and Goyder's lack of playing experience at the top level, was good.

"Richard is very thorough. He doesn't deal with fools lightly. He's very organised and very committed to the game," he said.

"The view (from the board that Goyder should take over) was absolutely unanimous."

Fitzpatrick has led the AFL through the introduction of two new clubs, three media rights negotiations, the purchase of Etihad Stadium and creation of AFLW and AFL Media.

His achievements in the role include:

·       The introduction of new clubs Greater Western Sydney and Gold Coast

·       Construction and renovation of stadiums and club bases including Adelaide Oval, Perth Stadium, Metricon Stadium, MCG, SCG, the Gabba and Simonds Stadium 

·       Increased participation by more than 140 per cent from the start of the 2007 season to 2016

·       The introduction of AFLW two years ahead of schedule, and a record 380,041 female participants in 2016

·       Record TV broadcast deals, including the $2.5 billion TV broadcast rights deal secured in August 2015 

·       A record high club memberships of 875,197 in 2016

·       The creation of AFL Media, which attracts an average 4.26mweekly visitorsin season unique

·       The adoption of all recommendations of the AFL Indigenous Advisory Council and a commitment to appoint an indigenous commissioner by the end of 2018

·       Development of the Respect and Responsibility policy

·       Increase in resources and policies governing integrity and doping

Richard Goyder will take over as AFL Chairman in April. Picture: Getty Images


Fitzpatrick paid tribute to his fellow commissioners, McLachlan and former chief Andrew Demetriou, as well as club bosses and the game's many volunteers.

"I am honoured to be succeeded by Richard Goyder, who is an outstanding Commissioner and a leading figure in Australian business life." 

McLachlan said Fitzpatrick, who will attend his last Commission meeting on March 16, had been a mentor and friend.

"Mike was at his best under pressure, and I will always appreciate his calmness and directness when things were challenging," McLachlan said. 

"His great legacies are his love for the game, and his backing of the management team to make big decisions to change and ultimately grow our competition."