Grant Mayer flies out west with AFL
  * EXCLUSIVE by Dean Ritchie
  * From: The Daily Telegraph
  * October 20, 2009
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/grant-mayer-flies-out-west-with-afl/story-e6frexnr-1225788471420
THE AFL has escalated its raid on rugby league ranks with the poaching of one of the game's top administrators - former Manly premiership-winning chief executive Grant Mayer.
Mayer will announce he has become the first senior manager appointed to the AFL's new $200million western Sydney franchise.
Mayer rejected interest from the Queensland Reds (Super 14) and the North Queensland Fury (A-League) to become western Sydney's general manager of commercial, overseeing all finances for the fledging club, including sponsorship, marketing and merchandise.
Factional brawling at Manly forced Mayer to resign in June, with the club still yet to find areplacement.
The AFL shocked rugby league two months ago by signing Brisbane Broncos star Karmichael Hunt - and now it has netted Mayer, one of rugby league's premier officials.
Mayer will be formally announced by the western Sydney club this morning.
All he said yesterday was: "It is very important to me that my next move is the right move.
"I've taken time to consider my future and I will announce something this week, but I will definitely be staying involved in sport.''
The new Sydney franchise - currently known as Team Greater Western Sydney - will be formally born in June next year and based at Blacktown. They will be part of the 2012 AFL season.
The Max Delmege faction of Manly's dysfunctional board wanted Mayer removed: The Penn faction wanted the CEO retained.
The Penns, in the end, didn't have the numbers.
"It's disappointing for the game of rugby league that Grant is ready to go to the other side,'' Manly chairman Scott Penn said.
"He is a professional and certainly helped the Sea Eagles get back on track.
"He will take those significant learnings in football administration to the new AFL franchise and help them lay the foundation to be a competitive force.''
Mayer, who has been dealing with AFL NSW-ACT general manager Dale Holmes will, however, face a difficult job in establishing AFL in Sydney's west, traditional rugby league heartland.
Mayer is expected to start his new job in a fortnight.
He had shown interest in the Reds job but the rugby union franchise kept procrastinating, pushing Mayer to the AFL.
"Grant has a wealth of experience in sports administration and he will definitely understand how competitive the market is that he is entering,'' said NRL chief executive David Gallop.
Manly officials continue to hunt for a replacement CEO and hope to make an announce late next month.
The club has drawn up a shortlist of about 15 candidates.
Western Sydney are due to announce a chief executive shortly.
Mayer has had previous experience starting up a club after helping Catalans establish itself in the English Super League.