AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan may have resigned back in April, but the footy community is still no closer to finding out when exactly the boss’ last day will be.

An emotional McLachlan said he was determined to spend more time with his family after almost two decades working at the AFL.

But seven months on, McLachlan is still to determine exactly when he will walk away from the AFL’s top job – and it could even be sometime next year.

“The timeline is, I’m leaving, but I think everyone understands there are a few things going on that I feel it’s my responsibility to be settled down enough and on an even footing when I leave,” McLachlan said at Friday’s Magic Round announcement.

“One day I’ll just disappear ... I know everyone loves dates and times but I’m trying not to buy into all of that.

“The priority is for the leadership to feel comfortable, that you feel stable so that when you handover it’s in a good spot.

“What that date is I can’t tell you, but it’s not going to be into late next year, but over the coming months, and if everyone’s happy with that I think that’s fair and I think people understand that.”

AFL commentator Gerard Healy questioned whether McLachlan would still be at the helm in 2023, given he’s committed to staying in his role while the Hawthorn investigation is completed.

“Everybody is of the view that Gillon McLachlan is going to resign at the end of this year or start of next year,” Healy said.

“But is it reasonable to say there’s a large chance that he may actually sign up for the entirety of next year?

“I think it’d be good at some stage to make his mind up to give us some sort of timeline to say, ‘Okay, are you in for the season? Let’s call it September next year’.”

AFL great Brad Johnson said he expected McLachlan had “three weeks” left to decide on whether he wants to remain in charge for 2023 as well.

“In terms of that the players will start coming back, the men’s competition starts to bubble away again with pre-seasons and the draft is coming back as well which I think is important,” he said on SEN.

“Around that time, I think a decision needs to be made from Gil to let us know whether he’s going to take on that role going forward for another 12 months, or within six [months] or stepping away completely.”

McLachlan had pledged to finish the new Collective Bargaining Agreements for both the men’s and women’s competitions, commit to a new broadcast deal and provide a recommendation on a possible team in Tasmania.

But he’s also dealing with the fallout from the alleged Hawthorn racism scandal and remains determined to stay on for that investigation as well.

McLachlan’s replacement will become just the fourth AFL CEO in 26 years.