“They’re not supportive of his bid”: Suggestions Hawks players are “disillusioned” by presidency race
Matt Berriman, a former member of the commercial advisory board at Hawthorn, has claimed multiple current Hawks have privately expressed to him their support for president-elect Peter Nankivell.
The Hawks’ AGM takes place on December 13, where members will vote for the club’s next president. Nankivell has been endorsed by the board to succeed Jeff Kennett in the role, while 1991 premiership player Andy Gowers is the other candidate.
The lead-up to the AGM has been plagued by accusations from both parties. Gowers is backed by Hawks for Change and has hit out at the process that saw Nankivell become the president-elect, while the club – particularly Kennett – has lashed Gowers on multiple occasions.
Berriman says Nankivell has his support, declaring it would be “disruptive” if Gowers were brought to power.
He also hit out at board nominee James Merlino, a former Labour MP aligned with Hawks for Change.
“For me, it really has been a tit for tat that unfortunately hasn’t focused on the real issue, which is who’s the best person to lead this club going forward,” Berriman – chair of Mental Health Australia – told SEN Mornings.
“Being involved in the club for the last five years, it’s a great club and it’s very un-Hawthorn like the way it’s transpired. Unfortunately, again, politics have got involved and obviously James Merlino is pulling some strings behind the scenes to make it a political conversation.
“It’s unhelpful, I think, to the football club. The focus needs to be on who’s going to be the best person to lead the club leading forward.
“The board has obviously fully endorsed Peter, he could not be a better president and we’ve seen that in other clubs where presidents with no egos… can really drive success on and off the field.
“It’s going to be very disruptive to the club and the future of the club if someone like Andy does get in to be president of the football club.”
Berriman went on to suggest that Nankivell had the support of Hawthorn players.
While he said players were reluctant to show their colours publicly, some leaders had reached out at their frustrations over the process that has threatened to overshadow the club for a number of months
“Obviously the key stakeholders of the club are the members, but they’re also the players, the executives, the sponsors and everyone else who supports the club,” Berriman explained.
“They’ve obviously had to stay Switzerland because they can’t endorse a candidate one way or the other because in the end, they’re going to work under whoever the president is.
“But my inside intel is they’re not supportive of his bid. Whether he wins the election or not, he’s still got to govern the club and if you don’t have the support of your membership base of supporter group… whether you have a title or position doesn’t mean you’re able to have a positive influence on what you’re trying to achieve.
“I’ve had a couple (players) reach out, especially in the leadership positions and I think they’re very disillusioned as to how this is unfolding.
“Their job is to play football… unfortunately they’re getting pulled into stuff that’s off the field because of all the media attention that comes around it.”
Voting is open for the presidential and board positions at Hawthorn until December 9. The results of the election will be publicised on Tuesday, December 13.