Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett claims he has turned down an approach to put his name forward for the AFL Commission.

The former Victorian premier and the league's most outspoken club boss will stand down at the end of this season after nearly seven years in charge at Hawthorn.

Kennett said he was approached six weeks ago by people "within the AFL family".

"I've always said no - I've always said I'd give six years (as Hawthorn president)," he told Melbourne radio station SEN.

"I've done my time, for better or for worse.

"I immediately said 'no'."

The AFL Commission or the clubs put forward candidates for the commission, with the presidents voting on the final choice.

Kennett is leaving Hawthorn in a strong position, with the club making the top four this season and coach Alastair Clarkson signing on for another three-year term this week.

Also on Saturday, Kennett revealed the top-four finish was a key condition of Clarkson's new contract.

"Three or four weeks ago, we were down in Hobart before a game and the board made an assumption that we would make the top four," Kennett said.

"So therefore, we started to discuss a review of Alastair's contract and I've got to say to you that, overwhelmingly, we supported an extension for three years."

Kennett added that the coaching vacancies at the Western Bulldogs, Melbourne and Adelaide had no influence on Clarkson's new contract, or how much money it is worth.

"The fact that other clubs are without coaches had no bearing on us whatsoever," he said.

"Anyone who assumes Alastair is driven by money is absolutely wrong."

Kennett was in typical form on Saturday before the match against the Western Bulldogs, his club's last home game before he gives the presidency away.

* Kennett said no player or coach in the AFL was worth $1 million.

"It's a ridiculous amount of money ... we are Hawthorn, we're not Collingwood and we're not Essendon.

"No one is worth $1 million in this game - player or coach."

* He is confident the Hawks will remain one of the league's strongest teams.

"This club, over the next five years, will continue to be a competitor in the last two weeks of every season - it's that good, it's that grounded, the culture is so good."

* Kennett called on Collingwood to release Mick Malthouse so he could coach Melbourne.

It remains unclear whether Malthouse will stay at the Magpies beyond this year and be director of coaching when Nathan Buckley takes over as coach under their succession plan.

"From a management point of view, the concept of having two strong-willed people at one club is a recipe for tears before bedtime," he said.

"Eddie should release Mick Malthouse and allow him to go and coach Melbourne, which is a brand we don't like seeing in the condition it is.

"The tears before bedtime have actually started before the end of the season."

* Kennett has long criticised the AFL administration and again said the setup of the league is "unsustainable".

"The AFL can't wait for me to go ... of course I'm concerned for the game," he said.

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