Ex-deputy premier James Merlino makes move toward Hawthorn board

James Merlino has revealed his surprising next move, just days after leaving Victorian politics.

The former deputy premier of Victoria is aiming to make a move towards the Hawthorn football club’s board.

James Merlino officially left politics just last weekend but is now facing up against the board of former Liberal Premier and club president, Jeff Kennett.

Mr Merlino is running in support of former premiership player Andy Gower’s bid for presidency and said the club needs to clean house.

“The board under the leadership of Kennett and (Peter) Nankivell is almost afraid of its own members, and members want the club to be for them,” Mr Merlino told The AFR.

“A vote for Peter Nankivell is a vote effectively for the status quo of the Kennett administration.

James Merlino did not contest the state election and is now aiming for a spot on the Hawthorn board. Picture: Jason Edwards

“Who do you trust to respond to [the AFL’s Indigenous inquiry] with compassion and real change? I think that it requires a change of leadership at the top of the club.”

In September, emails allegedly from a partner of a former Indigenous Hawthorn footballer were leaked where she had desperate pleas for assistance dismissed by the football club.

The cultural safety review contained claims the woman wrote to Hawthorn president Andrew Newbold when she was seven weeks pregnant claiming former coach Alastair Clarkson, assistant coach Chris Fagan and former Hawthorn player development manager Jason Burt had arrived at her home and removed her partner from the home.

Mr Merlino said “red flags” about the club’s leadership were raised when Norm Smith medallist Cyril Rioli left Hawthorn with years still left on his contract.

The former MP announced he would not contest the election in June after two decades in parliament.

He has promised Hawthorn supporters he will remain apolitical if elected to the board.