After the football on Friday night, I had a very normal weekend. I went for a long walk with the dogs on Saturday morning, went shopping, cleaned the car at the local carwash, visited the local nursery, did some gardening, visited some of my children, attended the Hawthorn Community Chest Ball with Felicity - a good wholesome weekend.
Everywhere I went people, most of whom I did not know approached me and said what a good game we played against Geelong on Friday night. I do not know what they expected our performance would have been, but not one critical comment was made.
While it was a pity we did not walk away from the ‘G on Friday night with another victory, I do not think there were many Hawthorn supporters that would have been disappointed. We clearly showed we were competitive against the AFL’s best at the moment.
We had the opportunity on several occasions to win the game, which shows we still have some work to do with our young list, but the endeavour was there. It was a tough game and the boys fought it out right to the siren.
Importantly I do not think there were any reports from the umpires against any player in either team. It was a hard game, played to the highest standards of competition, as you would expect from two great clubs.
We are not yet Kennedy’s Commandos, but we are developing a hardness that Alastair Clarkson has been building in his own image, that will stand us in good stead for years to come.
While we might have enjoyed the contest on Friday night, we lost, and we do not like losing, and we make no excuses for doing so. As I said we had our opportunities, and those skills that need improving are areas the coaches and players will work on as we head for the finals.
Regardless of our youthfulness as a team, our developing skill level, we are playing the game to win the Premiership this year. We are about making history for the Club this year, not just next or the year after. So Friday night was part of that growing experience, and a good experience it was. Particularly if we learn from the game, but we showed we could mix it with the best.
Thank you to all our staff who made Friday night so successful, those in membership and events those who helped with the many functions we hosted (a record number), our volunteers, our wonderful cheersquad and all who worked on the banner. To our members and supporters who turned out in droves. To our medical staff and trainers, our coaches, and the players who put in their all. We are truly a happy team at Hawthorn, but there is still work to be done!
As I moved around the community this weekend, I was particularly proud to be a Hawthorn member and your President.
Jeff Kennett
President
Hawthorn Football Club
