Outgoing Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett is attempting to block Andy Gowers from taking charge of the nominations group searching for his replacement.
In a move that threatens to re-ignite the Hawks’ boardroom battle on the eve of the season, Kennett used a recent board meeting to push for vice-president and ally Peter Nankivell to instead assume the role.
Kennett critics argue the long-term president has broken a key peace deal struck as part of his exit plan.
It had been agreed that Gowers, the 1991 premiership player and former footy director, would abandon his run for a seat back on the board if he was made independent chair of the nominations committee.
But Kennett’s bold move to have him overlooked threatens to cause fresh turmoil less than a month before the start of a new AFL season.
Kennett’s final term at the Hawks wasn’t due to end until the end of 2023. But mounting pressure instigated by influential reform group Hawks for Change had forced him to announce he would step aside earlier than planned.
In a letter to members last November, Kennett detailed plans to find his successor by June 30 next year, adding the make-up of the nominations committee would be finalised after the AGM in December.
But the delay in its formation has further angered those within the club who have been agitating for change, even before Kennett came under fire over the club’s decision to part ways with four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson.
Sources last night argued the democratic process had already been compromised. The well-connected Hawks for Change group was formed to loosen Kennett’s grip on the board, instigate permanent change and support the elevation of former Australian Super boss Ian Silk to the club’s board.
Silk was elected to the Hawks’ board in December, but is understood to still be weighing up whether to run for the presidency.
Current board members Katie Hudson and Owen Wilson are also 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.