Hawks for Change group reiterate position on Kennett departure

The group behind a push to revamp Hawthorn’s board have moved to quash any suggestions from Hawks’ president Jeff Kennett that he may serve in the role until his term is completed at the end of 2023.

Kennett sent a letter to members on Thursday outlining his willingness to step aside after a nominations’ committee recommended by June 30, 2022 a person to succeed him as president.

Jeff Kennett.Credit:Getty Images

“On the agreement of the board of their recommendation, and the acceptance of the nominee, and his or her availability to commence work, we will then decide when I hand over the baton,” Kennett wrote.

However when asked on SEN on Friday morning whether there was a chance he could stay in the job until the end of 2023 Kennett said: “Without a doubt, but I hope that’s not the case.”

Kennett later told The Age his clear position was that he would relinquish the position as soon as practical after the board approved the nominations’ committee’s recommended successor, and he did not anticipate nor intend to serve the full term.

“I believe the club is in the strongest position it has ever been and if ever there was a time to go now is it. I have other things to do with my life,” Kennett said.

The ‘Hawks for Change’ group released a statement after Kennett’s radio interview re-iterating their position and saying the board will act promptly on the recommendation from the nominations committee which will be established following the election of two board members at December’s annual general meeting.

“Hawks for Change notes the comments of current president Jeff Kennett,” it read.

“We at Hawks for Change have undertakings that 30 June 2022 is the final date for the nominations committee to report, and the board will promptly act on that recommendation.

“It is our expectation that Jeff Kennett and the board will honour those expectations.”

The nominations committee will be formed after the club’s AGM in December.

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