BEING scheduled to play its qualifying final against Richmond on Thursday night will make it difficult for members and supporters from both sides to attend the game, Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett says.

The AFL pulled a shock move by fixturing the two Victorian teams to kick off this year's finals series on Thursday night at the MCG in week one of the finals.

The decision has angered some fans, with the 7.20pm timeslot on a school night in Melbourne making it tough on families and those travelling from interstate.

"Putting it at night, and particularly on a Thursday night, is very, very hard for a lot of those who might wish to be there," Kennett told SEN.

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"The AFL are in control of this. We have no say in real terms, as you would appreciate.

"We're not going to satisfy our membership requirements."

Kennett said there was no point arguing about the fixture as he was aware of the commercial and broadcast benefits of having the Hawks and Tigers battle it out on a Thursday night.

However, the Hawks president said it was more important to put fans and stakeholders in the game first.

"I am again cognisant of our membership. It's going to be very hard for a lot of families, younger people to attend at the ground because of the hour and the fact it's Thursday night," Kennett said.

"It's almost impossible for any of our 10,000 members from Tasmania to come across, let alone our other 10-15,000 around the country."

"Putting it at night, and particularly on a Thursday night, is very, very hard for a lot of those who might wish to be there.

"There's no point in me complaining. I'm just stating the reality that it does eliminate, not just ours, but a lot of Richmond supporters who are even contemplating going to the ground.”

Remarkably, Hawthorn and Richmond will play each other in their first ever finals matchup when they do battle on Thursday September 6.