Hawthorn confirmed two board changes at their Annual General Meeting on Tuesday evening, appointing Ian Silk and re-electing Tim Shearer into the two vacant board positions.

Silk has received great support from the Hawks for Change group to be current president Jeff Kennett's successor, as Kennett looks to step down from the position as early as mid 2022.

Kennett was one of the key figures behind the departure of legendary coach Alastair Clarkson at the end of last year, and flagged that a handover of the presidency is not far away.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 22: Hawks head coach Alastair Clarkson (R) celebrates the win with Hawks President Jeff Kennett during the round 18 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Hawthorn Hawks at Etihad Stadium on July 22, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

"I was asked to return to the Presidency of the club by the previous Board in 2017 to address some issues that were causing concern. It was my intention to only stay for one term of three years," Kennett said.

"Then COVID-19 struck us all, and I was asked to stay to guide the club and the competition through COVID when I was a member of the AFL’s "War Cabinet".

"I was therefore re-elected unopposed last year for a three-year term which concludes at the end of 2023."

"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."

After the AGM concluded, the long-standing president flagged that June 30 would be when the committee would be required to make its final recommendation to the board.

Along with Silk's election, current director of the club Tim Shearer was re-elected onto the board, whilst lawyer Jennifer Holdstock applied for the vacant board position but was unsuccessful.

Kennett stated in a letter to Hawthorn members that the club is in a strong financial position despite the COVID pandemic, and that members can look forward to a promising 2022.

"I was happy to report our finances are in good shape, in surplus on our football operations and our consolidated activities," Kennett outlined on the club website.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 11: Jeff Kennett, President of the Hawks congratulates Jack Gunston of the Hawks during the 2018 AFL round 21 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 11, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

"We wear our financial strength as a badge of honour."

"The Board will now work on delivering an overall strategy that assists Sam Mitchell and our football department in returning Hawthorn to the winner’s circle in the not-too-distant future."

Silk looms as the front runner to replace Kennett, with the long-term president of the club declaring he does not look to see out the remainder of his two-year term at the helm at Waverley Park.