Hawthorn board election: Peter Nankivell denies Dingley timing politically motivated
One of Hawthorn’s presidential candidates has denied the timing of a deal to build the club’s Dingley base is politically-motivated amid an ugly war of words over board spots.
AFL News
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Hawthorn has denied the announcement of a new deal to build its $100 million Dingley headquarters was an election grab as polls open on Friday for an increasingly rancorous election.
The Hawks said on Thursday that ADCO Constructions would build a venue that will have a community oval, elite MCG-sized oval and equal facilities for men and women.
The club was adamant on Thursday the club’s move from Waverley to Dingley was no repeat of St Kilda’s disastrous move to Seaford given it was actually closer to the city and had strong player backing.
The Herald Sun revealed last month 1991 premiership player Andy Gowers would contest the presidency against vice president Peter Nankivell with former acting premier James Merlino among the contenders for the board.
Since then the tone of the discussion has descended into the gutter with a series of claims about who was responsible for the club’s First Nations inquiry and which side was more supportive of the three women vying for the board.
But Nankivell, who was in Tasmania for the club’s negotiations with Tasmania’s premier on a new games deal on Tuesday, said the timing of the Kennedy Community Centre announcement was purely coincidental.
“If we wanted to be in by mid 2024 we had to literally sign off now and that’s the reason we have signed off. This is unrelated to any election issue. I can understand (the questions). But I should say these decisions have been in process for quite some time. It was at the last meeting with the Hawthorn football club last month that the decision was made to sign the building contract with ADCO.
“I am not here to make an election pitch but I have been working on this process from 2013 and this means a huge amount to me personally. I want to stay invested in the Hawthorn football club.”
Experienced lawyer Nankivell said he was disappointed with the tone of the conversation around the club’s elections.
“It is disappointing. To quote Michelle Obama, when they go low, we stay high.”
The club’s build will be set at $100 million with Jeff Kennett’s criticism of the state government seen to have held up $15 million in funding for the venue which has been held in contingency but not yet released.
Gowers says another $10 million of funding from wealthy benefactors has been pulled until Kennett leaves, with Hawks chief executive Justin Reeves urging the state government to commit to help maximise the community return.
“Our team has been working really closely with the government. They are partners in this project. We hope it gets released in the short term because to deliver 100 per cent of the community facilities we need that money. To deliver 100 per cent of the Hawthorn facilities, we don’t need that money.”
Players including young star forward Mitch Lewis have moved into nearby suburbs in anticipation of the 2024 move, with Reeves adamant the entire club was on board with the move.
“This site was chosen over years of due diligence and part of it was conversations with players, staff, supporters and members.
This site is closer to the CBD than Waverley, it’s close to the bayside suburbs which is a real attraction for players, it’s about half the distance Seaford was from Melbourne. It’s an inner suburban venue and there is huge future growth in this area. We are super excited about what this site holds.”
HAWKS HIT JACKPOT WITH GAMING VENUE SALES
Jay Clark
Hawthorn says it is in the strongest financial position in the club’s history after pocketing $32 million from the sale of its two gaming venues.
The Hawks on Wednesday confirmed they had recorded a net operating surplus of $35.1 million after making the big call to sell WestWaters Hotel in Caroline Springs and The Gardens at Waverley Gardens this year.
About half of that money will help fund the club’s new training base in Dingley which is on track to be built by early to mid-2024 and provide the Hawks with a world-class headquarters worth $90-100 million.
Importantly, the football operations surplus of $752,006 (profit excluding investments) also shows the club is not reliant on gaming machine revenue to make money.
Hawthorn has received up to $4 million a year from gaming machines but has made the big call to part ways with the gambling money in-line with some other clubs.
Chief executive Justin Reeves said the result showed the club was in “great shape” and was “completely aligned through the football and administration departments” as it prepares to head to the polls from Friday.
The Hawks generated $752,006 from traditional football streams such as membership, merchandise and gate receipts despite a tough year on the field finishing 13th.
The football surplus was a welcome financial result for the Hawks in the midst of a presidential battle between president elect Peter Nankivell and challenger Andy Gowers.
Voting opens on Friday and closes on December 9. The results will be announced at the December 13 annual general meeting.
Nankivell said the club was in an excellent financial position as the Hawks put their faith in second-year coach Sam Mitchell and a rebuilt playing list.
“We are in the strongest financial position the club has been in in its history. These financial results showcase the commercial strength of the club as well as the unwavering support of loyal members and commercial and community partners,” Nankivell said.
“We are delighted to have set a new membership record, with 81,494 members. This committed membership base is integral to the club’s success, and we want to thank every single one of our loyal members.
“The club is also extremely appreciative of all our commercial partners for their continued support. In addition, we welcome aboard our newest partners, who we are proud to join forces with. Being able to generate these new commercial partnerships is a direct reflection of the club’s strength as an organisation.
“On behalf of the board, I would also like to thank the Hawthorn staff and playing group for their ongoing efforts to ensure this club continues to thrive in the ruthless environment of elite sport.”
Reeves said the Hawks were about to “embark upon one of the most significant chapters in our club’s history” with the construction of the Kennedy Community Centre which will provide its men’s and women’s teams with elite facilities.
“We pride ourselves on being an independent club which balances a strong members and community first mindset with sound, forward-thinking commercial decisions,” Reeves said.
“To show, once again, that our club can operate so strongly off-the-field is something we should all be immensely proud of.
“Following a few tough years of instability as a result of COVID-19, we are seeing ongoing growth in all areas across our organisation.
“This is a testament to the hardworking administration staff, players, coaches, football department, and our selfless volunteers.
“Our club is in great shape, completely aligned through the football and administration departments and well equipped to continue our push towards our first and next premierships in AFL men’s and women’s.”
‘BOYS CLUB’: KENNETT SLAMS HAWKS CHALLENGER, EX-LABOR MINISTER
Jeff Kennett has hit out at Hawthorn presidential challenger Andrew Gowers, accusing him of wanting to take the Hawks back to being a boys’ club.
In an exclusive column for the Herald Sun, Kennett also highlighted how Gowers was football director in some of the years of Hawthorn’s alleged inappropriate actions against Indigenous players and took aim at his running mate, ex-deputy Premier James Merlino, for having no knowledge of club operations.
Gowers, a 1991 premiership player, is standing against the board’s nominee, Kennett’s vice-president Peter Nankivell, after getting endorsed by supporter group Hawks 4 Change.
Kennett said the group “want to take the club back to being a men’s club only”, having “never nominated a woman for a board position”.
The power struggle will come to a head at the Hawks’ annual general meeting on December 13.
“(Gowers) was football director at the time of the alleged inappropriate actions found to have been taken against some of our Indigenous players,” Kennett wrote.
“Now he wants to preach governance and take the club back to being a boys’ club.
“His running mate James Merlino has no knowledge of club operations.
“He hasn’t talked to anyone within the club to establish the facts.
“He, like Gowers, talks governance when making sadly inaccurate, intemperate comments.”
Kennett said his board had unanimously supported the return of female board members Anne-Marie Pellizzer and Katie Hudson, and a third woman, Marie Liu.
He claimed Gowers and Merlino, who was aiming for a board seat, had not won support among the Hawks’ football or administrative departments.
“Neither will gain electoral support from those they seek to represent but continually attack,” the former Premier wrote.
“Let’s hope the members see through the shallowness of their representations.”
Gowers told the ABC on Tuesday he would be voting for Liu after having very productive discussions with her.
“Her Hawthorn credentials are very strong and her professional background is excellent,” said Gowers, who played 89 games for the club from 1988-94.
Last week, Gowers told News Corp he had no knowledge at the time of any of the accusations against Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan or Jason Burt.
Gowers was Hawthorn’s football director from 2013-17.
“I am shattered like everyone else when we read those stories in the Egan report,” he said.
“If I am elected as president I would see it as my responsibility to right any wrongs of the past, this area included.
“For that reason I endorse the recommendation that Phil has made of a full-time general manager of Indigenous development, who would report to the CEO.
“My view is we need more permanent resources to be best practice and to drive the most rewarding relationships with our First Nations, staff, players and supporters.”
Kennett’s column comes on the back of him criticising Merlino on Twitter on Monday night.
Damning update after lewd photo leaked
Luke Sayers’ tenure as Carlton president is under increasing pressure as he refuses to address his social media scandal.
Blues boss urged to come home amid deepening lewd pic scandal
Embattled Carlton president Luke Sayers is under pressure to return to Australia after choosing to remain in Italy despite a scandal surrounding a “dick pic” posted to his X account.