Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has taken aim at Caroline Wilson’s “incorrect” claims over the club’s coaching handover.
Wilson reported on Channel Nine’s Footy Classified that a “mediation session” took place involving Alastair Clarkson, Sam Mitchell, Head of Football Rob McCartney and Leading Teams boss Ray McLean.
Wilson also claimed that Kennett would prefer to pay out Clarkson’s final year of his contract to see Mitchell take over as senior coach next year.
Kennett labelled Wilson’s comments as “a complete fabrication”.
The succession plan devised by the Hawks will see four-time premiership coach Clarkson see out the 2022 season before Mitchell will step into the senior coach role from 2023.
In a letter to members, Kennett said: “Can I turn to another subject? Someone sent me a clip of what Caroline Wilson said on Footy Classified on Monday night. I do not watch the show, and I suspect many of you do not as well.
“She made a few incorrect comments and assumptions.
“Last week there was a scheduled meeting between coaches Alastair Clarkson, Sam Mitchell, our Head of Football Rob McCartney and Leading Teams Founder Ray McLean.
“It is one of several meetings that will take place over this period of transition. These meetings are designed to work out the individual and shared responsibilities between Alastair and Sam as we prepare for the transition at the end of next year’s season.
“These meetings are common sense. We would be derelict in our duty if these meetings did not take place. It is a surprise to me that some, including Ms Wilson, are surprised that they are taking place.
“Ms Wilson described the meeting as a mediation meeting. Even though she was directly told by our CEO Justin Reeves that this was incorrect. These meetings are and will continue to be a very basic part of planning out our succession plan.
“Ms Wilson chose to ignore this truth and continued to refer to it as a mediation meeting.
“Let me be very clear, this was a planned meeting, and our players knew it was going to take place. We like to be transparent at Hawthorn and there will be more of these meetings to plan our future.
“Ms Wilson also inferred there had been some sort of blow-up between Alastair and Sam. This is also wrong.
“Both men have behaved admirably since the announcement. Of course, they are going to have different views on different aspects of the game. This is how good football clubs are developed. Our leaders need to be able to challenge each other. I would expect nothing less. But to characterise a respectful exchange of ideas as a “blow-up” makes clear that not only was she not in the room, she has no idea how or what was discussed.
“Finally, she concluded the segment by saying that I would be happy to pay out Alastair’s contract and have Sam coach next year. This is a complete fabrication. I have always said I want Alastair to complete his contract, not only because at Hawthorn we honour contracts but also because Alastair has said several times publicly, he intends to honour his contract.
“I make these comments only to inform you of the truth. As members this is what you are entitled to, the truth.
“Some commentators have questioned our succession plan. Many commercial organisations insist their CEOs identify and train people within their organisation to potentially succeed the CEO. It is good practice across the world.
“Sam Mitchell came back to the club because Clarko saw in Sam a potential senior coach. We have seen enough of Sam to believe he should be eventually our next senior coach.
“Coaching is not easy. It can be a very lonely job. You need to be able to work with many different characters and Presidents. Those skills need refining.
“We at Hawthorn are in a good place, with good people. Yes, we are following good governance practices, but those who often sit in judgment, including journalists, have never themselves had the experiences or the responsibility of leading anyone or any business.
“They are only interested in breaking through the crowd to be noticed, and so much of what they say is coloured, not professionally sourced, or just opinion not based on fact. Matters not to them as they pursue headlines and ratings.”
Mitchell will continue as Hawthorn’s Head of Development and senior coach of the club’s VFL affiliate Box Hill next season.
