The AFL Players' Association (AFLPA) hope key official Ian Prendergast will stay for the coming crucial weeks, despite him missing out on the chief executive's job.
Long-time Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) CEO Paul Marsh will move across in early September to take the key post.
There was a widespread belief that the job was Prendergast's to lose.
Prendergast attended Tuesday afternoon's announcement, but made no comment.
These next few weeks loom as tumultuous for the association and the game in general as ASADA decide whether to charge Essendon players over the club's supplements scandal.
There has been speculation for several weeks that ASADA will issue show-cause letters to Essendon players.
"The board is certainly hopeful that he'll do so (stay)," AFLPA president Luke Ball said of Prendergast.
"We love his passion for the players association and that's something we'll work through with him."
Ball was also asked about the issues that Marsh would face in his new role.
"There are clearly issues and challenges for players at the moment that we're all aware of - what's happening at Essendon is an example in particular," .
"Year by year, there are constant challenges for players.
"Paul's track record in dealing with players and delivering great benefits for players is fantastic."
Marsh revealed that the AFLPA approached him to apply for the role.
"It wasn't something to be honest that I'd thought about," he said.
Ball noted that Marsh had negotiated several successful collective bargaining agreements for Australian cricketers.
"We felt he would deliver significant expertise to the association and his experience was what probably gave Paul the nod in the end," Ball said.
Marsh is the son of Australian cricket legend Rod Marsh and brother of former Tasmanian captain Dan.
He was sales and marketing manager at AFL club Port Adelaide before joining the ACA in 2001 and has been their chief executive since 2005.
The AFLPA CEO job has proved a powerful springboard to other positions.
Past incumbents include Andrew Demetriou, who has just retired as AFL chief executive.
Brendon Gale (Richmond chief executive), Rob Kerr (Essendon football boss) and Marsh's predecessor Matt Finnis (now St Kilda's CEO) also held the role.
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