New flank opens in Hawthorn’s board war as Jeff Kennett fights on

Hawks president Jeff Kennett is set for a new challenge with a group of supporters setting up a campaign to fight for board positions.

Hawks president Jeff Kennett is set for a new challenge with a group of supporters setting up a campaign to fight for board positions.

The new group, Hawks for Change, is separate to the push for board spots by outgoing Australian Super boss Ian Silk and Hawthorn premiership player Andy Gowers.

Hawks for Change has backers among the club’s coterie groups, with triple premiership player James Morrissey part of the campaign.

Morrissey has been an outspoken critic of Kennett, claiming he had too much control, and previously calling for him to step aside.

“All I ask of members is to reflect on the decisions that have been made and how the club has been run,” he told News Corp.

“In my mind, too many recent club decisions have strayed from Hawthorn’s core values. I want to see a Hawthorn that is community focused once again.”

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett. Picture: Michael Klein

Alastair Clarkson’s messy departure from Hawthorn, which was sparked by Collingwood’s pitch for Sam Mitchell, has fuelled discontent among some Hawks members.

Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson labelled that move the “Great Collingwood Sting” in July.

Former 1971 premiership player and former Hawthorn director Bruce Stevenson, and Lyn Sutton, president of the Thornbirds, are also behind the group.

Bill Shannon, advertising man behind former Premier Steve Bracks election campaign, is also involved.

The Hawks for Change website was due to go live at 3.30pm on Thursday.

Ms Sutton said Hawks for Change was a member group that draws on people from all parts of the club.

“The one big say we can have about the direction of our club is who is on the board. Today we have launched a website http://hawksforchange.org and we are asking all Hawthorn members and supporters to register,” she said.

Alastair Clarkson and Sam Mitchell were involved in a messy handover at the Hawks. Picture: Getty

“As a group, we have seen Ian Silk and Andy Gowers put up their hands for election. They look like the exact kind of people we need, but they are probably not the only ones. If any other members are interested, they should contact Hawks for Change.”

The group has raised more than $10,000 so far, and has sought legal advice on which members of the Hawthorn Football Club have the right to cast a vote.

Collingwood’s board fight was complicated by a tiered membership structure which clouded who was allowed to have their democratic say.

Hawthorn’s next annual general meeting is on December 14, with nominations for board positions likely to be due to be handed in by October 21.

A source has confirmed that Mr Silk and Mr Gowers had intended to nominate.

Mr Kennett is in his second term as Hawthorn president, after returning in 2017.

His relationship with Clarkson was fractured and those rifts became deeper when the Collingwood move forced the Hawks to speed up its handover to Mitchell.

Mr Kennett said earlier this week that he was comfortable with the challenge from Mr Silk and Mr Gowers.

“We live in a democracy,” Kennett said.

“They (Silk and Gowers) have both spoken to me and I have the highest regard for both men, but I and the board will be supporting Tim Shearer, who is the director in charge of our foundation … and Simon Taylor.

“Simon represents the next generation and has been consistently involved in the club since he stopped playing.”

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Originally published as New flank opens in Hawthorn’s board war as Jeff Kennett fights on