Melbourne have gone with a left-field choice for their new chief executive, naming long-time AFL administrator Justin Rodski to replace Dave Donaghy.

Most recently Essendon’s chief commercial and customer officer, Rodski will have to steer the NRL club through the post Cameron Smith/Craig Bellamy era.

Without a Storm contract, former captain Smith is expected to retire or play with Gold Coast while coach Bellamy is off-contract at the end of the 2021 season and is tipped to take up a director of coaching role with Brisbane.

It’s Rodski’s first CEO appointment with the club saying he beat a strong international field to win the role.

The 39-year-old has spent the past 10 years at the Bombers and was their media manager during the damaging supplements saga.

“The Storm is one of the most respected, successful and prominent sporting organisations in the country,” Rodski said in a statement.

The challenge to build on this strong foundation and lead the club through its next period of growth and success is an incredibly exciting opportunity.”

Storm chairman Matt Tripp said Rodski was a stand-out candidate.

“Justin has established credentials, is well respected in the industry and has a great understanding of what it takes to run a high performing club in a highly competitive market,” Tripp said.

“We were also impressed with his values and approach to people which very much aligned with the Storm way.”

Rodski will start in his new role with Storm on February 15 while Donaghy’s appointment as Brisbane boss is expected to be announced imminently.