Simon Kelleher Moves to New Footy Role

Towards the end of 2024, the Geelong Football Club today announces that Club Executive and Chief Operating Officer Simon Kelleher (svc 1994-97), would take on a newly created role within the AFL after 6.5 years with the Cats.

As General Manager Club Finance, Performance and Growth, Simon will have strong day-to-day management responsibility for the AFL’s financial relationship across the league, to continue to progress how the AFL can support clubs to be competitive on the field and thrive off the field.

To quote from the Geelong FC website

On behalf of the Board, Executive and broader Club, CEO Steve Hocking congratulated Simon and said he will be an excellent addition to the leadership at the AFL.

“Simon has been a key leader in our business and community with a genuine team of all approach, being at the forefront of our AFLW program, gender equity plans and played a pivotal role in steering the club through COVID and the challenges that presented.

Simon was appointed as the Chief Financial Officer of the Geelong Football Club in June 2018.

Simon is a qualified Chartered Accountant and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Before joining Geelong Football Club, Simon was a key Executive member of the Carlton Football Club as Chief Financial Officer. (2025-18). Prior to that he had held several other positions in the Sports and Entertainment Industry including Group Financial Controller at the Victorian Racing Club and Group Finance Manager at Crown Resorts. 

Simon was an outstanding sportsman as a student of the College. He was captain of the athletics team in his final year and in the same year won the Bill Wilding Trophy for being adjudged the most outstanding athlete.  Simon represented the Tassie Devils in the NAB U/18  football competition when he was in Year 10.