Ex-Victorian premier Jeff Kennett took a step closer to becoming president of AFL club Melbourne on Friday following the resignation of Don McLardy.
Kennett, who enjoyed a successful stint as Hawthorn president from 2006-11, has led criticism of McLardy and his board and has been calling for them to quit.
McLardy bowed to mounting pressure by resigning in a letter to members posted on the club’s melbournefc.com.au website.
The Demons announced vice-president Peter Spargo had been appointed interim president.
Melbourne, who have a 1-10 record in 2013 and have refused to guarantee coach Mark Neeld’s future for the rest of the season, made a submission to the AFL Commission on Friday seeking extra funding and assistance.
Kennett has held talks with the AFL but won’t reveal the league’s view on his potential presidency. However, AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said a week ago that Kennett had a great record as premier and was a terrific president at Hawthorn.
“We’ve got to find out in detail what the Melbourne Football Club asked for today and what the ramifications are,” Kennett said on Friday.
“We’ll assess what has happened and we’ll no doubt talk over the weekend.”
Kennett challenged the AFL to back what he labelled his bold and courageous alternative.
“If this opportunity is not seized now, then sadly, although there might be some change or slight improvement, it will not lead to cultural change,” Kennett told afl.com.au
“It will be very interesting to see whether the AFL have that courage.”
McLardy says a heavy work commitment related to the imminent partial sale of his business is a factor in his decision to step down from the Demons’ presidency and the board.
“However, just as important is the recognition that our club as a whole is not performing as we expected and, as explained in my president’s speech on Monday, change is required and members deserve to see a clear path forward for our club with new leadership, direction and energy as soon as possible,” he said.
McLardy used his pre-match luncheon address on June 10 to take a swipe at Kennett, saying there was a very good reason he was voted out of office as premier and adding he needed to have a good look in the mirror.
He hinted Kennett’s sometimes-abrasive public style should count against him.
Melbourne’s chief executive Peter Jackson, who stepped into the role when Cameron Schwab was sacked in April, joined McLardy on Friday morning in making a submission to the AFL Commission.
“Mr Jackson was very forthright in his assessment of the current status of the club and the overall impact on the AFL competition as a whole,” Demetriou said.
“In principle, the AFL Commission will support the club in its reconstruction and we will use the next few weeks to work through the issues identified by the club including the level of financial support required to turn around its fortunes.
“Any support provided by the AFL will be highly conditional.”
