Jeff Kennett’s hold on the Hawthorn presidency slipped at a board meeting on Wednesday night.
Kennett as recently as last week was standing firm in the face of mounting pressure instigated by influential reform group Hawks for Change and referred by members of the club’s board.
But Kennett on Wednesday night arrived at the meeting - the most recent in as many as five board meetings over the past month - armed with the letter he yesterday sent out to members.
In that letter to members emailed on Thursday night, Kennett detailed plans to find his successor by June 30 next year.
It’s understood Kennett had set that time frame to allow for strong external presidential candidates to come forward.
But sources said the club wanted a new president in place before the start of next season.
Kennett’s final term at the Hawks wasn’t due to end until the end of 2023. But he has come under fire over the club’s decision to part ways with four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson – a decision that further angered supporters who had already been agitating for change at board level.
The well-connected Hawks for Change group was formed to loosen Kennett’s grip on the board, instigate permanent democratic change and support the elevation of former Australian Super boss Ian Silk to the club’s board.
Premiership Hawk and former board member Andy Gowers is now expected to chair the nominations group that will be formed to search for Kennett’s replacement.
That group is likely to be made up of three board members and three club members, with Gowers standing down from the election as a result.
That panel will aim to recommend a new presidential candidate to the board before the start of the 2022 season, but by the end of June at the latest.
Silk, and current board members Katie Hudson and Owen Wilson are considered to be among the presidential candidates.
Kennett replaced Ian Dicker as president in 2005 before the Hawks claimed the 2008 premiership.
Kennett stepped down in 2011, with the club going on to win three consecutive flags, before returning for a second stint following the resignation of Richard Garvey.
“The time has come for the board to start the process of my succession and your next President,” read Kennett’s letter to members.
“On the agreement of the board of their recommendation, and the acceptance of the nominee, and his or her availability to commence work, we will then decide when I hand over the baton.
“So, life is about changes and opportunities, and with our new coach, the club is in such a good and strong position to move into 2022.
“Now is the right time to plan my succession and transition in an orderly way. We are starting that process now.”
Kennett told members that he had only stood for re-election for another three-year term as president because of the COVID-19 pandemic.