Hawthorn election may sway Wallace
07 August 2004
Herald Sun
Mark Robinson
HAWTHORN plans to call a shock extraordinary general meeting in a bid to secure Terry Wallace as coach.
It's believed the Hawks want an election showdown with agitator and former board member Don Scott which they believe could strengthen their chances of signing Wallace and restore stability to the ailing club.
The Hawks believe Wallace will agree to coach in 2005 and beyond if Scott is off the radar.
Several club directors are angry Scott is jeopardising their bid for Wallace and plan to throw down the challenge: Put up or shut up.
The meeting could be called as early as Monday and an election held – if Scott can muster his forces – in 21 days.
Instead of waiting for a possible board challenge from Scott – which has hung over the club's head for several months – the Hawks would ask for a vote of confidence from members.
The annual general meeting would still be held in December.
It's understood Wallace is aware of Hawthorn's plans for an extraordinary general meeting and has indicated he could wait until after any election before deciding his future.
The Hawks, however, still hope Scott will abandon plans for any challenge.
Wallace, the club's first choice to replace Peter Schwab, met the Hawthorn board on Thursday and made it known he wouldn't work with Scott and wouldn't consider any offer while Scott loomed in the background.
It's believed Wallace is also Scott's preferred choice as coach, but he only wants to sign him to a two-year contract. The Hawks are considering a three or four-year offer.
The former Bulldogs coach is the most highly sought man in football with both Hawthorn and Richmond pitching for his services.
In view of Hawthorn's plans, the Tigers will undoubtedly up the ante in their bid for Wallace, who, it was reported earlier this week, had agreed to coach at Punt Rd, a report Wallace angrily denied.
A Hawks extraordinary general meeting is a win-win situation despite the estimated $50,000 cost.
It could deliver Wallace but, even if he did agree to terms with Richmond, the ploy would still end the warring at Glenferrie Oval.
As yet, Wallace has given no indication where his preference lies, and has claimed he might even continue working in the media with the Herald Sun, 3AW and Fox Footy.
Wallace told the Herald Sun on Thursday: "There's three parts to the equation: Richmond, Hawthorn and none of the above (and) none of the above is still a serious contender. If there's too many things that get in the way from making it the right vehicle, I'm not doing it."
An end to the political storm at the Tigers, tempered somewhat by the truce between president Clinton Casey and rival Brendan Schwab, also weighs on Wallace's decision.
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