Kennett said he had promised an exciting time when he took over as president at the end of 2005 and that members should keep the big picture in mind.
“I therefore ask you all to maintain the faith, in your club and its personnel. As in life not everything goes your way all the time. If I am wrong the ultimate authority lies in the hands of you our 52,000 plus members,” Kennett said.
Kennett’s post was more positive than his response to the Brisbane Lions loss where he apologised for the team’s performance.
The Hawthorn president has just returned from an overseas holiday and said he had already held discussions with coach Alastair Clarkson and general manager of football operations Mark Evans.
“There are some very valid reasons why the football department is not firing as they did last year. Those are factual reasons which I do not offer as excuses,” he said.
“For instance, the unavailability of many of our players to complete their pre-season training because of surgery or injury. Or the requirement for many of our young players to be blooded, when they do not have the experience of older players.
“I will never accept a lack of effort, or a failure of skills, and while either or both happens from time to time, it is up to the coaches and the players to address such situations quickly.”
Kennett urged the Hawthorn players to play with spirit for the rest of the season.
“What I think we all want is for our players, every time they contest a match to leave the field of endeavour knowing they have played to the best of their abilities, regardless of whether we have won or lost that match”
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