THE FOOTBALL community has said its final farewell to Hawthorn's spiritual father John Kennedy snr.
Kennedy, the three-time Hawthorn premiership coach widely considered to be the club's greatest figure, passed away peacefully on the morning of June 25.
He was 91 and had just become an official Legend in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, the number of physical attendees at his funeral on Thursday was strictly limited.
Only family and close friends were there to celebrate his life and legacy in what was a moving and deeply spiritual tribute at the Basilica of Our Lady of Victories in the Melbourne suburb of Camberwell.
Several ex-footballers were also in attendance, as was Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson and former coach David Parkin.
Club greats such as Kel Moore, Alan Martello, Peter Hudson, Peter Knights, Rodney Eade, Michael Tuck, and Michael Moncrieff were among those to form a guard of honour outside the church.
Former North Melbourne champion Wayne Schimmelbusch was also in attendance.
Kennedy shocked the football world in 1985 (and saddened the Hawks) when he came out of retirement to coach North Melbourne.
He twice led the Kangaroos to the finals in his five years at Arden Street, but was also the first senior coach of an impressionable young rover from Kaniva. His name? Alastair Clarkson.
Following the funeral there was a private burial at Burwood Cemetery.
