Former premiership participant Andy Gowers is the brand new president of Hawthorn.
Gowers’ ‘Hawks For Change’ motion toppled Jeff Kennett and his anointed successor, Peter Nankivell, for management of the membership after a messy election marketing campaign battle.
Former Victorian deputy premier James Merlino was additionally voted onto the board on the membership’s annual basic assembly at Hawthorn City Corridor on Tuesday night time whereas two incumbents, Katie Hudson and Anne-Maree Pellizzer, had been re-elected.
Gowers, who performed 140 video games together with the 1991 premiership, was put ahead as a presidential candidate by disgruntled followers, members and influential supporters who’d turn out to be disenchanted with Kennett’s second stint within the prime job.
Kennett, who oversaw the Hawks 2008 premiership win throughout his first version as president from 2005 to 2011 earlier than being invited to return to the board in 2017, threw his assist behind Nankivell, a well-connected lawyer who had been appearing as his deputy.
Kennett, upon asserting the victor, had this to say.
“I might be calling on Andy in a couple of moments to handle you, and you may all put a face to the identify and listen to his program for the longer term.
“With James approaching board, the $15 million that the federal government’s been holding again from us, I count on to be delivered tomorrow, James.
“And Andy stated when preventing for the election that he knew (of) one other $10 million. So Andy put up or shut up – we wish that different $10 million shortly.”
The presidential battle divided the membership with legends Don Scott and Peter Hudson endorsing Nankivell, as did beneficiant membership benefactor and Flight Centre founder Geoff Harris.
Gowers, 53, was backed by numerous distinguished ex-teammates and Hawk heroes together with Chris Langford, Gary Ayres and Peter Schwab.
Momentum for change at Hawthorn got here to a tipping level off the again of the AFL investigation into Hawthorn’s cultural security evaluate and allegations by First Nation gamers and their households towards former coach Alastair Clarkson and his former lieutenants Chris Fagan and Jason Burt.
The mishandling of the evaluate on prime of premiership hero Cyril Rioli’s fallout with Kennett harm the membership’s popularity.
Initially revealed as Hawthorn board election: Andy Gowers wins battle to be subsequent Hawthorn president
