Hawthorn news: Latest on Hawks’ presidential race and AGM fallout

Hawthorn presidential candidate and ex-premiership star Andy Gowers has slammed “outrageous” claims from a member of the club’s commercial advisory board.

Hawthorn would face an “exodus” of key on and off-field figures if Andy Gowers succeeds as president, according to a club commercial adviser.

Matthew Berriman, who is the chair of Mental Health Australia and sits on the club’s commercial advisory board, made the extraordinary claim as he backed Peter Nankivell to lead the club into a new era ahead of the final day of voting on Friday.

But Gowers hit back at Berriman late on Thursday, saying it was “outrageous” to suggest a victory in the presidential battle would impact the Hawks’ playing list.

Berriman said Gowers had dragged the club “into the mud” in recent weeks and feared players and staff would walk if the former Hawthorn premiership star was successful.

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett will make his farewell speech next Tuesday.

“The big concern I have is if the Gowers ticket gets up, I feel like there will be a pretty significant exodus of key talent from on and off the field,” Berriman told News Corp.

“And that will destabilise the club. I am certain that will happen.

“He does not have the support of the key people around the board table, around the executive group and the playing group to be the president of this football club.

“Peter has that (support) unanimously.”

Berriman said he had close links with the players and key corporate partners through his role as a mentor and commercial adviser, and urged members to vote for stability.

Matt Berriman says if Andy Gowers succeeds as president if could destabilise the club.

“What Sam and the young players are doing and building is something that I think in years to come will be pretty special,” Berriman said.

“The last thing it needs is instability at the club where players may question — and I have had some of them — may question whether they (want to leave).

“If it is unstable off the field, on-field tends to follow it and that is the last thing the Hawthorn Football Club needs.”

But Gowers bluntly rejected the “exodus” barb on Thursday, and said Hawthorn fans were “sick” of the politics.

“My initial reaction is a reluctance to comment because of how outrageous this is, but it does give me an opportunity to repeat that my entire campaign has been based on unity,” Gowers said.

“If elected, I am intent on unifying the club after a period of division led by the (Jeff) Kennett/Nankivell board.

“It is disappointing but not unexpected that Jeff would continue to go down this road.”

Hawks legends Gary Ayres, Darrin Pritchard (top right) and Andrew Gowers (top left) in the famous ‘Batmobile’ from the 1991 AFL Grand Final ceremony.

The Hawks For Change group, which has backed Gowers and board candidate James Merlino, blasted Berriman.

“This is nothing but yet another desperate attempt by members of the outgoing board to tarnish Andy Gowers 24 hours from the voting closing,” the group said.

“We are very much looking forward to Jeff saying his final goodbye on Tuesday. The Club is ready for him to move on, it has become sad and pathetic.”

The result will be announced at the club’s annual general meeting on December 13.

Originally published as Hawthorn news: Latest on Hawks’ presidential race and AGM fallout