Hawthorn face a board stoush that will have a major impact on the club’s direction after former deputy premier James Merlino decided to run for a seat on the Hawks’ board at the upcoming election.
The club’s hopes of a seamless handover from club president Jeff Kennett to president-elect Peter Nankivell have also been dashed with premiership player Andrew Gowers deciding to run for president.
Merlino was among five nominations for the three vacant positions on the board with Katie Hudson, Maria Lui, Merlino, Anne-Marie Pellizzer and Ed Sill, the Box Hill Hawks president, to run.
James Merlino.Credit:Chris Hopkins
Gowers’ decision to run is significant as it comes just four months after the board endorsed Nankivell as the president-elect to replace Kennett, who had come under considerable pressure to step down after four-time premiership player Cyril Rioli said he would not return to the club while Kennett remained in charge.
Nankivell’s proposed elevation came after a nominations committee assessed suitable candidates, with Nankivell a respected lawyer. The Hawks for Change group has supported Gowers, who former president Ian Dicker nominated, while Merlino is understood to be running as an independent candidate.
Sill has been a mentor and long-time supporter of Hawks coach Sam Mitchell, while current board members Hudson and Pellizzer are the only two females on the nine-person board.
Hawthorn faces a board stoush as Jeff Kennett prepares to departCredit:AAP
Hawthorn have undergone a tumultuous 12 months, with the messy departure of four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson followed by Rioli’s comments, and then revelations contained in a cultural safety review that investigated the experiences of the club’s Indigenous players, past and present.
The impact of that report is still being felt as the AFL attempts to set up an investigation into the matters alleged, with Clarkson delaying his start at North Melbourne and Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan taking a leave of absence.
Clarkson and Fagan have categorically denied any wrongdoing.
The Hawks have also revamped their playing list under Mitchell, with Luke Breust the only player remaining at the club from their 2015 flag after Jack Gunston joined the Lions during the trade period and Ben McEvoy and Liam Shiels retired.
Hawthorn greats Gary Ayres (R), Darrin Pritchard (C), and Andrew Gowers (L).Credit:Getty Images
Hawthorn’s annual general meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 13.
On endorsing Nankivell in June, Kennett praised the move.
“It is wonderful when succession of an organisation can come from within,” Kennett said.
“This will ensure that the momentum behind important initiatives on and off the field can be maintained and nurtured.”
Merlino was one of four senior Andrews government ministers, along with Martin Foley, Lisa Neville, and Martin Pakula, who announced in June they would step down from cabinet immediately and leave politics at the state election.
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