The former deputy premier of Victoria is aiming to make a transfer in the direction of the Hawthorn soccer membership’s board.
James Merlino formally left politics simply final weekend however is now dealing with up towards the board of former Liberal Premier and membership president, Jeff Kennett.
Mr Merlino is working in help of former premiership participant Andy Gower’s bid for presidency and mentioned the membership wants to wash home.
“The board under the leadership of Kennett and (Peter) Nankivell is almost afraid of its own members, and members want the club to be for them,” Mr Merlino instructed The AFR.
“A vote for Peter Nankivell is a vote effectively for the status quo of the Kennett administration.
“Who do you trust to respond to [the AFL’s Indigenous inquiry] with compassion and real change? I think that it requires a change of leadership at the top of the club.”
In September, emails allegedly from a accomplice of a former Indigenous Hawthorn footballer had been leaked the place she had determined pleas for help dismissed by the soccer membership.
The cultural security overview contained claims the lady wrote to Hawthorn president Andrew Newbold when she was seven weeks pregnant claiming former coach Alastair Clarkson, assistant coach Chris Fagan and former Hawthorn participant growth supervisor Jason Burt had arrived at her house and eliminated her accomplice from the house.
Mr Merlino mentioned “red flags” concerning the membership’s management had been raised when Norm Smith medallist Cyril Rioli left Hawthorn with years nonetheless left on his contract.
The former MP introduced he wouldn’t contest the election in June after 20 years in parliament.
He has promised Hawthorn supporters he’ll stay apolitical if elected to the board.
