A statement released by the club said: "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 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."

Kennett had an eventful term as Hawks president from 2006-11.

There was frequent tension with coach Alastair Clarkson and Kennett is a trenchant critic of the AFL.

Kennett has never confirmed it, but it is Hawks folklore that he was threatening to "drop" Clarkson to coach their VFL team after they started the 2010 season with one win from seven games.

In the last few seconds of the round-eight match against Richmond, Hawks star Sam Mitchell brought down Shane Tuck in a tackle that saved the match - and potentially Clarkson's time at Hawthorn.

The Hawks went on to make the finals that season, but as late as the start of the 2013 season, Kennett had called for Clarkson's sacking again.

Kennett's stunning return continues a period of massive change at one of the AFL's strongest clubs.In the past 18 months, Andrew Newbold has handed over to Garvey, chief executive Stuart Fox has gone to the plumb role as CEO at the Melbourne Cricket Club and football director Chris Fagan has gone to coach the Brisbane Lions.

Clarkson is the only key club leader remaining from their 2013-15 premiership three-peat.

Garvey's resignation follows the sacking of CEO Tracey Gaudry after just five months in the job. Gaudry was told of the decision on Sunday.

Gaudry met with Garvey on Sunday night where her position was discussed after the club had received negative feedback from senior industry figures as well as Hawthorn officials and football staff. It is understood other senior managers had been poised to quit the club prior to Sunday's decision.

Garvey is understood to have reached the decision to remove Gaudry early in grand final week but the club chose to wait until after the weekend to make the controversial move.

Gaudry's departure was a blow to the authority of Garvey, who was Gaudry's strongest backer when she was appointed.

Senior Hawthorn figures were critical of the fact the club took seven months to find a replacement for former chief executive Stuart Fox and in taking so long missed out on respected former football head and AFL executive Mark Evans who was appointed as chief executive at the Gold Coast Suns.

Fairfax Media, with AAP