![AFL General Counsel, Andrew Dillon turned down the top job at Racing Victoria.](/content/dam/images/g/r/r/9/5/p/image.related.afrArticleLead.620x350.grrfuu.png/1475135260364.jpg)
The outcome of tomorrow's clash between the Swans and Doggies isn't the only thing keeping sports enthusiasts guessing down Melbourne way.
The other big question is who exactly is going to be appointed new CEO of Racing Victoria.
A question whose answer has become even more elusive since the process to find a replacement hit a pretty major snag.
An executive search to replace outgoing Racing Victoria chief (and former Bulldogs CEO), Bernard Saundry has been underway since he announced his intention to depart back in May.
Word around the tracks is that two candidates were eventually identified – and that they were Racing and Wagering WA's Richard Burt (who was RV chairman David Moodie's preferred choice) and the AFL's general counsel, Andrew Dillon.
And had you been a betting man – or woman – and backed Dillon to cross the line ahead of his rival, you would have been in clover. Except that he turned it down. Leaving Racing Victoria's top brass in what is known in horse racing circles as a bit of a pickle.
Now, we hear, they are back to square one.
The search was initially outsourced to executive headhunters, Egon Zehnder (and we know they don't come cheap).
It's pretty much the worse possible timing for the racing authority. With the Spring Carnival looming large on the horizon – easily the biggest event of their calendar year – and with Saundry expected to depart soon after it, Racing Victoria runs the very real risk of being a ship without a rudder – or a horse without a jockey, perhaps.
Then there's the not insubstantial fact that only four weeks ago, Scott Perrin (the former director of Billabong surfwear) took his leave from racing.com - Racing Victoria's big online investment which is a joint venture with Seven West Media.
Perrin's departure was preceded by the exit of another senior executive in the shape of Andrew Burke.
The expression "falling like flies" springs to mind.