His return comes after Richard Garvey resigned at a board meeting on Wednesday morning.

“The board of the Hawthorn Football Club met early this morning where the president, Richard Garvey, indicated that he was resigning as president of the club accepting responsibility for a recent Board decision,” the club said.

“The board ratified that former president Jeff Kennett assume the presidency subject to a members’ vote at the AGM in December, which has been accepted.

“Richard Garvey will continue as a director.

“The transfer of authority will commence on Monday 9 October 2017.”