Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett is back as Hawthorn president, two days after the AFL club sacked chief executive Tracey Gaudry.
The Hawks dropped their second bombshell this week on Wednesday morning, announcing that president Richard Garvey had resigned and Kennett would resume the role.
Hawthorn said in a statement that Garvey was “accepting responsibility for a recent board decision”.
They also said Garvey would continue as a club director and Kennett’s appointment was subject to a vote at their December AGM.
The announcement was made after a board meeting early on Wednesday morning.
Kennett had an eventful term as Hawks president from 2006-11.
There was frequent tension with coach Alastair Clarkson and Kennett is a trenchant critic of the AFL.
Kennett has never confirmed it, but it is Hawks folklore that he was threatening to “drop” Clarkson to coach their VFL team after they started the 2010 season with one win from seven games.
In the last few seconds of the round-eight match against Richmond, Hawks star Sam Mitchell brought down Shane Tuck in a tackle that saved the match — and potentially Clarkson’s time at Hawthorn.
The Hawks went on to make the finals that season, but as late as the start of the 2013 season, Kennett had called for Clarkson’s sacking again.
Kennett’s stunning return continues a period of massive change at one of the AFL’s strongest clubs.
In the past 18 months, Andrew Newbold has handed over to Garvey, chief executive Stuart Fox has gone to the plumb role as CEO at the Melbourne Cricket Club and football director Chris Fagan has gone to coach Brisbane.
Clarkson is the only key club leader remaining from their 2013-15 premiership three-peat.
Gaudry took over from Fox, but the first female chief executive at an AFL club only lasted five months.
Immediately after the Hawks dumped Gaudry, the pressure went onto Garvey.
On the field, the Hawks dropped out of the top eight for the first time since 2009, with club legend Luke Hodge and star defender Josh Gibson retiring at the end of the season.
Hodge has since indicated he could keep playing under Fagan at the Lions.
At the end of the 2016 season, as it became clear Hawthorn’s premiership era was ending, Clarkson moved on key veterans Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis.
Leonard
Guest
About "concern [on] why this was necessary, and whether it reflects on greater internal problems": I read a report (think it was in one of Fairfax's big dailies, probably The Age) that CEO Gaudry (whose appointment had been strongly pushed by now ex-prez Garvey) was not up to the task. Raises the worry that today's buzz-term 'quota' was a factor. Note also that the Hawks' resident contrarian Don Scott (who'll always be a hero for his role in defeating that infamous mid-1990s merger, especially for his great "Friends, Romans, countrymen" style speech, including the dramatic ripping of a 'garment') is not happy. Reckon that Jeff and the HFC can live with that with a "That's our Don" approach.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I'd like to know whether Jeff was drafted or put his hand up for the job
andyl12
Guest
As a passionate Hawks fan I'm confident Jeff will do more good than harm in the three years he's there- I think the idea is just that he sets a few things straight while getting our next era started. My only concern is why this was necessary, and whether it reflects on greater internal problems than I was really aware of.
Kurt
Guest
Hmmmm this doesn't particularly thrill me. As premier and as Hawks president Jeff had a pretty clear expiry date. Not sure this is the right move for the club.
Birdman
Guest
Not a fan of Jeff's return TBH but as long as he doesn't tick Clarko off, I'll deal with it.
Penster
Roar Guru
As long as there are no more "curses", Ty Vickery has this covered.
Leonard
Guest
The wonderfully inestimable Leroy Jethro Gibbs in NCIS has a set of rules, and No 11 is 'When the job is done, walk away'. Maybe he has a No 11a: 'When the job has been undone, walk back again.
Cat
Roar Guru
Whats going on at Hawthorn lately? First the CEO gets sacked after a whole 5 months on the job, then the President quits, now the man who promised 'he'd ride off into the sunset and never be heard from again' is back?!?