Well the dream is over… for 2010.

But on Saturday as I went about my business, so many supporters in Perth said to me there is always next year.

That is the power of football. It makes us all eternal optimists. And we have started preparing for next season.

And while the Tassie Hawks are not going to compete on the last weekend of September, the mighty Box Hill Hawks had a mighty win yesterday to take them into a Preliminary Final next week against North Ballarat.

The venue for next Sunday’s Box Hill game is yet to be determined (keep an eye out on hawthornfc.com.au), but if you can, get along and support our young boys proudly wearing the brown and gold.

The game against Fremantle was not good, our opponents deserve congratulations for their win and I wish them luck next week. While a lot of the statistics went our way the scoreboard did not. Simply expressed, one goal, 11 points by half time does not represent a Grand Final team.

So we probably finished the year where our home and away position indicated. We were not consistent enough, at times our endeavour was lacking and our kicking needing serious attention.

It was, in short, a disappointing end to a season in which we held such high hopes.

Be assured the Club will evaluate our season, make no excuses, and very quickly focus on next season.

The Board, coaches and the players do not accept our performance this year. We are united in doing better next year. We will work together, dig deep and do the hard yards to justify your continued support.

And there is still a lot to do this year in preparing for next year. We have the draft and trade week. We have the Gold Coast making their selections, and there will be some shocks and maybe disappointments.

But hold your nerve and remember no one person makes or owns Hawthorn Football Club. We all do: its 54,000 plus members. And your Board, administration, coaches and players are all working for you.

I will keep writing to you over the next few weeks as issues unfold.

For now we keep living the dream, proud and passionate Hawthorn members.

Speak soon,

Jeff Kennett
President