Those of us who were present at the game and those who, to a lesser extent, watched on television will know it was a hard game, in hot conditions and on a big ground. The players knew after the game they had played a tough match.
While there were some wonderful individual efforts, the more impressive outcome was the improved team effort. In particular in the third quarter when Fremantle got within a kick of Hawthorn, and the team responded so well in finishing the third quarter, and starting the fourth quarter with goals.
Individuals can never win premierships, only a professional team can and at Hawthorn, week upon week, we are building that professionalism.
It has been a good start to the year, but there are still 20 games to go. Unfortunately Stuart Dew sustained a hamstring injury in the last quarter of the game, however we have players rejoining those available for selection. Clearly injuries play an important part for any team, but be assured our players have access to the best medical, fitness personnel and equipment. But managing a list of players is one of the most challenging tasks for our coach Alastair Clarkson and his team.
We have a great list of players, and Alastair is well experienced in getting the best from our players.
For those supporters who traveled to Perth, thank you. To our Perth supporters who were in attendance at the game in great numbers, thank you. The players always respond better when our supporters are vocal and obvious at the ground. It was good meeting so many of our members and supporters at the function after the game and seeing the proud sea of brown and gold.
This week against North Melbourne at the Telstra Dome, I call on our army of members and supporters to be there at the game to support Sam Mitchell and his team. North will be on a roll after winning last week and will be keen to show us their heals. We need the power of vocal support to encourage our players to new heights.
See you there.
Stay well
Jeff
PS: We have exceeded our record membership of 33,319 that we achieved in 2002. A great result, but we are still 1,700 members short of this year’s goal of 35,000, whilst some 4,500 of our 2007 members are still to re-join so please to those who have not renewed please do so, and those supporters who are not members, please join.
