AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has appointed long-time Geelong backroom guru Steve Hocking to the hefty position of football operations manager.
Hocking replaces Simon Lethlean, after his departure last month over a workplace affair, as the sport's No.2 executive.
The former Cats' defender and staffer takes charge of football across the country, including the laws of the game, umpiring, coaching and the controversial Match Review Panel (MRP).
"I'm thrilled to be part of the AFL and the broader game and quite humbled," he said on Thursday.
Hocking is a career Cat.
Forging his name as a tough-as-nails defender, he played 199 games, including the losing 1989 and 2004 grand finals.
The 52-year-old was on staff for the club's three recent premierships before spending time heading up the Cats' commercial department and becoming overarching football boss in 2014.
He will move to AFL House - what he described at one stage as the "big house" - after the end of Geelong's season but before the trade period to avoid potential conflicts of interest.
He declined to offer personal views on several issues - the bounce, MRP, laws of the game committee or the health of the Gold Coast club - until beginning the role.
"The most important thing for me is getting my feet under the desk," he said.
"I'm going to take care of business at Geelong football club and the challenges will come thick and fast once I'm inside."
Senior Geelong figures have been linked regularly with vacant positions at the AFL, given the club's reputation on and off the field.
Hocking said he left with the blessing of the Cats.
"Me heading up the road won't stop how well they're going .. it's a well-run club with great people," he said.
He suggested his passion for fairness would overcome any accusations of bias that might come from his long-time association with Geelong.
"I firmly believe all 18 clubs should have the opportunity at the start of the season to win the premiership. Our role here is to provide an environment where that can be achieved," he said.
McLachlan said Hocking was a clear choice.
"He'll be a great custodian that will lead our game into a new era," he said.
"I'm thrilled with the appointment. It was a strong field but, in the end, Steve was the clear standout for me since day one for the type of person I wanted in this role - a football person whose job is to sort out every aspect of our game."
McLachlan said less than 10 people were on a shortlist for the role, none of whom were women.
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