After former Hawthorn CEO Justin Reeves resigned from his prestigious post in May following the club's internal racism investigation, a strong contender for the vacant position is reportedly emerging.
Reeves, who served the club from November 2017 to his eventual departure in 2023, cited his mental health and well-being as reasons for relinquishing his position, with the toll of the investigation and role itself becoming too much to handle.
As the Hawks' chief executive, Reeves was responsible for monetary growth and saw his club turn a profit year-on-year in spite of the side's on-field struggles during his tenure.
Before taking on the substantial role at Waverley, Reeves worked in a senior commercial role at Geelong and Collingwood for a decade, whilst also spending seven years at Foxtel.
However, as reported by Seven's Mitch Cleary on Thursday, a new candidate has emerged for the role as the club continues its search for a full-time occupant.
Former Racing Victoria CEO Giles Thompson has surfaced as a potential Reeves replacement to head the Hawks.
Thompson spent five and a half years as the CEO of Racing Victoria and most notably led from the front during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thompson's resignation came as a shock as there was seemingly no pressure on him to depart from the role.
In addition to Thompson, another possible candidate, reported by Cleary, is ex-Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich.
Rosich, who is the current CEO of the Victorian Racing Club, joined Fremantle in 2004 and was the general manager of commercial operations for four and a half years. He then moved into the CEO role in 2008; a mantle he held until his eventual departure in 2019.
He was a part of the club's operation during their significant 2010s success, which included a Grand Final appearance in 2013. He also spent time at the West Coast Eagles prior to his role at Fremantle, as the business operations manager.
Meantime, Hawthorn's chief commercial officer, Ash Klein, stepped in to fill the CEO role temporarily whilst the club searched for Reeves' successor; in doing so planting her name in the conversation. Klein has been named as an internal candidate.
Other notable internal candidates include the head of football, Rob McCartney, and the GM of operations and strategic projects, Josh Vanderloo.
The Hawks will continue to narrow down their search for a new CEO and are aiming to publicise their new hire by the end of 2023.