Hawthorn board hopeful Jennifer Holdstock believes there are issues with the culture of the club at board level.
Holdstock has been told in the past not to bother with her board aspirations, but feels she must put her hand up to help push the club in a different direction.
The lawyer, who is again pushing for a spot on the Hawks’ board, has taken a shot at the handling of the Alastair Clarkson departure, labelling it a “complete shambles”.
She is also worried about the lack of female presence on the board which is costing the club State Government funding.
Holdstock was asked on Sportsday if there is a gender problem at board level.
“By the nature of the fact that they can’t get State Government funding, I’d say the answer is yes,” she said.
“I think there’s a cultural problem there. You can see what happened with Alastair Clarkson, an employee of 18 years and four flags, and the way he exited.
“None of us are privy to what went on at the board level. I’ve been assured that Alastair Clarkson’s welfare was the number one consideration.
“What I know is that as a member, the way it played out was embarrassing and appalling. We were told one thing about good governance and then two weeks later it was a complete shambles.
“The way it played out and the public message that was portrayed to members was embarrassing. If that’s any indication of the culture, there needs to be change.
“You cannot have an employee of 18 years’ experience exited in that way and expect members to be happy.”
Holdstock also cannot understand why she has been held back from running for the board.
“I’ll tell you what I don’t understand is that if we had 40 per cent female representation on the board we would be eligible for State Government funding,” she added.
“We’re going into a double election year next year, State and Federal elections. We are, by our very nature of the makeup of the board, ineligible for State Government funding.
“I cannot work out why I’m being discouraged from running when even with me, we wouldn’t reach that 40 per cent target.”