Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett has returned as Hawthorn president after Richard Garvey suddenly resigned from the role at the AFL club.
The decision was taken at a board morning on Wednesday morning and comes just days after the sacking of chief executive Tracey Gaudry.
In a statement, the club said Garvey will continue as a board member.
“The board of the Hawthorn football club met early this morning where the president, Richard Garvey, indicated that he was resigning as president of the club accepting responsibility for a recent board decision,” the statement said.
“The board ratified that former president Jeff Kennett assume the presidency subject to a members’ vote at the AGM in December, which has been accepted.
“Richard Garvey will continue as a director. The transfer of authority will commence on Monday 9 October 2017.”
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’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 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 winning sides.
Gaudry took over from Fox, but the first female chief executive at an AFL club only lasted five months.
Immediately after the Hawks sacked 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 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.
Australian Associated Press contributed to this report
