Hi fellow Hawkers,
Such a big few days, so much to share with you all.
First, we are the Family Club, so family business first. To our CEO Stuart Fox and his wife Sybilla, congratulations on the arrival of your fourth child, beautiful Claudia.
To our Assistant Coach Brendon Bolton and his wife Louisa, congratulations on the arrival of their first child Ned, and a potential draft pick!
As you know, the Club is being very well served by our former great full-forward Peter Hudson as our number one ticket holder.
Peter and his wife Stephanie have been most generous with their time and have helped the Club greatly with our relationship with Tasmania.
The Board has been considering for some time the appointment of a number one female ticket holder.
This is to recognise that almost half of our members are female, and as most families are headed by a male and female, and the Family Club should recognize both genders equally.
I am therefore proud to announce that Helen Kapolos has accepted the Board’s invitation to become our first number one female ticket holder. Helen, as you know, is Channel 10’s foremost news reader.
The Board offered Helen this honour in recognition of her membership and commitment to the Club, and her contribution over many years at many of our functions. I hope you will extend a very warm welcome to Helen.
On Friday night we saw a good win over Essendon, as we take one more step towards our goal of making the top four by end of the home and away season.
What was wonderful was again witnessing the enthusiasm of our gang of six. Shane Savage, Liam Shiels, Isaac Smith, Luke Breust, Matthew Suckling and Paul Puopolo.
Speed, delivery and goals. And what I notice most is they are very clearly enjoying their football.
Under the experience of Grant Birchall who is having a wonderful season and Sam Mitchell - who as I heard someone describe was best afield for both Hawthorn and Essendon - we never give up, and with our other leaders, the game was a pleasure to watch.
Importantly, we played as a team and almost for four quarters, so as each week passes we meld together better and seemingly become more confident.
The downside being the threat of injuries every week we play. On Friday night, Brad Sewell, after a wonderful start, and then the mercurial Cyril Rioli, fell victim to injuries. Let’s hope neither will be out for too long. Sadly for Essendon they also endured three injuries.
But as always, it is always about next week. On Sunday at the MCG we match up against Collingwood.
There have only been two teams in recent times to defeat Collingwood, Hawthorn last year and Geelong this year.
So it will be a great test.
Last Saturday night we had our major fundraiser Hawks and the City, this year held at the Melbourne Museum. It was a wonderful night, and I thank all who attended.
In particular I thank our joint MCs, Helen Kapalos and Daniel Harford, who graciously gave their time and kept the evening moving under challenging acoustic circumstances. Not to forget Phillip De Fegley who acted as our auctioneer yet again.
But I was again reminded, as I moved around the room, and saw so many people enjoying themselves, that these events do not happen overnight nor easily.
Our events team headed by Haylie Shephard supported by our Corporate team headed by David King, not only worked hard in putting this event together, but also put on the President’s Dinner for a massive 550 people at the game the night before.
So to all our staff who worked so well, and generously so, my personal and sincere thanks.
Our players and coaches get the applause, and at times brickbats, but they are the tip of a large and important professional iceberg, nine tenths of which is not publically recognised. But be assured the Board salutes their efforts of our administrative team, and without them, our coaches and players would not be able to focus on their football.
This Sunday’s clash v Collingwood is a “members designated replacement game”.
If your membership allows access to designated replacement games, there will be sections of the MCG that offer public non-reserved seating and standing room. These areas are expected to fill quickly, therefore it is highly recommended to plan an early arrival at the game.
Reserved seating is on sale through Ticketek in Hawthorn-designated bays which are also expected to fill. If you pre-purchase reserved seating you are assured entry to the game. Entry using your membership without a reserved seat remains subject to stadium capacity restrictions; it does not guarantee you entry in the event the game is a sell-out.
Full details regarding Hawthorn members access to this Sunday’s match can be found in the match-day information article.
All in all this has been a mouthful, but a lot is happening at your Club. My reversible jacket has been returned to the museum and will not reappear until the finals. So one week at a time. I hope to see many of you at the ‘G next Sunday.
Bring your brown and gold and strong voices to lift the team to our 11th victory this season.
Stay well,
Jeff Kennett
President
