High profile Hawthorn fans given in-depth club briefing by Sam Mitchell and Andy Gowers
Draft plans, playing performance, infrastructure – it seems there was not much off the table when Hawthorn’s top officials met with an eclectic group of high profile fans and ex-players recently.
Key Hawthorn identities were given an in-depth progress report at an intimate meeting with president Andy Gowers and coach Sam Mitchell on Wednesday night.
The selected and eclectic group included club greats Jason Dunstall and Jordan Lewis, former players Russell Greene and Daniel Harford, veteran crime journalist John Silvester, comedian Anthony “Lehmo’’ Lehmann and former Australian cricketer Damien Fleming.
Sources described the meeting as ‘’bringing together Hawthorn people’’, some who hold prominent positions in the football media.
The information meeting included a review of the 2023 season, draft plans, and what is expected from the playing group in 2024.
The strategy piece included expectations through to 2027.
At the meeting held at a Carlton restaurant, the group was told they would only part ways with their No. 3 draft selection if they could trade up the draft order.
Otherwise they would use their selection to bring in another young talent.
Gowers indicated the multimillion-dollar home base at Dingley would be completed within three years and that an announcement on the chief executive would likely be made by the end of September.
Second-round interviews have been concluded.
AFL executive Kylie Rogers is a candidate for the position and acting chief executive Ash Klein, who was also at Wednesday’s meeting, is also a candidate for the role.
Rob Auld – another senior figure at AFL House – has also been linked to the Hawthorn role,
It’s also been reported, former Racing Victoria CEO Giles Thompson is a contender alongside former Fremantle chief executive Steve Rosich.
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