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“Looking Back, Leaving Hawthorn Was a Step Up” – Ex-Hawks CEO Justin Reeves Throws Major Shade at His Former Club, Raising Eyebrows with Bold Remarks
Former Hawthorn Football Club CEO Justin Reeves has ignited controversy with his latest comments about his departure from the club, stating that moving on was a “step up” in his career. The bold remarks have raised eyebrows across the AFL community, with many Hawthorn fans expressing frustration and disbelief.
Reeves, who stepped down from his role as Hawthorn’s chief executive in 2023, recently reflected on his time with the club in an interview. While he acknowledged the rich history and passionate supporter base, he didn’t hold back in suggesting that his exit was ultimately a positive move for his career.
“Looking back, leaving Hawthorn was a step up,” Reeves said. “It was the right decision at the right time, and I’ve been able to grow professionally in ways that wouldn’t have been possible if I had stayed.”
His comments have sparked debate among Hawks fans, some of whom feel he is unfairly criticizing the club. Others believe his statement is a reflection of the internal struggles Hawthorn has faced in recent years, including the fallout from the racism investigation and inconsistent on-field performances.
During his tenure, Reeves oversaw a challenging period for the club, with a significant focus on rebuilding both the playing list and off-field culture. His decision to step down was initially attributed to personal reasons, but his latest remarks suggest there may have been more to the story.
Hawthorn has yet to officially respond to Reeves’ comments, but within the AFL world, speculation is growing about the real reasons behind his departure. Meanwhile, fans have taken to social media to share their mixed reactions, with some defending Reeves’ right to speak his mind and others accusing him of disrespecting the club that gave him a major leadership role.
As Hawthorn continues its rebuild under current leadership, Reeves’ words will no doubt add another layer of intrigue to the club’s ongoing journey. Whether his departure truly was a “step up” remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—his comments have reignited discussions about the direction of the once-dominant AFL powerhouse.
Many within the AFL community have weighed in on the situation, with former players and analysts offering differing perspectives. Some argue that Reeves’ remarks are a fair reflection of Hawthorn’s current struggles, pointing to the club’s ongoing efforts to restore its former glory. Others, however, see his words as unnecessary and disrespectful, questioning whether he has burned bridges with the club and its supporters.
Adding to the drama, sources close to Hawthorn have suggested that tensions between Reeves and certain board members may have played a role in his exit. While Reeves has never publicly addressed these rumors, his latest comments may hint at lingering frustrations from his time at the club.
The fallout from Reeves’ statement could have lasting effects, especially as Hawthorn looks to solidify its leadership structure and move forward from past controversies. Whether or not his words will have any tangible impact on the club’s future remains uncertain, but they have certainly added fuel to an already heated debate among fans and AFL insiders alike.
For now, Hawthorn will focus on its upcoming season, hoping to let results on the field do the talking. But with Reeves’ remarks making headlines, the conversation surrounding his departure—and what it says about the state of the Hawks—shows no signs of dying down anytime soon.
