Hawthorn champion Andy Gowers has made a last-ditch bid to shake up his beloved club's presidency handover, submitting his name as a candidate to potentially succeed Jeff Kennett.
In June it was revealed that Kennett would depart his post at Waverley at the end of this year, with Vice President Peter Nankivell touted as his incoming replacement.
However, ahead of Wednesday's 5pm deadline, Gowers was among several nominations for positions of presidency and board vacancies, with the 1991 premiership player the only name to run alongside Nankivell for Kennett's position.
Former deputy premier James Merlino has also gone into the running for a board position, joining Katie Hudson, Maria Lui, Anne-Marie Pellizzer and Ed Sill as the five nominations pushing for the three vacant board positions.
But it's Gowers' nomination to compete with Nankivell that gained the most attention on Wednesday, with the pair now gunning to replace Kennett as the club's December 13 Annual General Meeting nears.
Gowers played 89 games for Hawthorn between 1988-1994 and would add a further 51 games to his career with Brisbane.
Nankivell has been part of Hawthorn's board for the past eight years and has held his deputy role since 2017.
โIt is wonderful when succession of an organisation can come from within,โ Kennett said of Nankivell in the wake of the club's planned presidency handover.ย
โThis will ensure that the momentum behind important initiatives on and off the field can be maintained and nurtured.ย
โPeter has a deep knowledge of the club and, at this time, has been found to be the most appropriate person to lead the club's future development and activities.ย
โImportantly, Peter has a value set that will continue to build our Family Club ethos."
