Hi there Happy Hawkers,

And aren't we happy today?!

But let us not get ahead of ourselves!

What was wonderful was the endeavour shown by our team. It was the best I have seen in a long time.

So, we remain in the hunt, but only 14 games to go before the finals, so we all need to stay focused.

I liked the way some in the media were writing us off before the game because of the average age of the team.

But let me say, no one should ever be judged by age or years lived! Judge each other by our experiences, what we deliver and by the outcomes we produce.

We have a very experienced coach in Alastair Clarkson, a very experienced Football Manager in Graham Wright, and a team that is a combination of experienced players and more youthful players, who are accumulating the experience they need to serve the club for the next 10 years.

Without naming all our players who put their body on the line on Thursday night, just consider the contribution of Shaun Burgoyne, Ben McEvoy, and old smiley Isaac Smith. Great team efforts by three experienced players.

Can I just thank you all again for sticking with the club over the last few difficult months, we could not survive without your continuing support.

On Thursday night, our CEO and I hosted some of our partners to watch the game together. Again, we are very grateful for the continuing support of all our partners. The concept of family has been well and truly re-enforced as we have stuck together, to ensure all of us make it through this trying period.

Those sponsors who attended were Nissan Australia, Bingo Industries, Vandenberg Wines, BankVic, Carlton & United Breweries, Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, Azep, Chemist Warehouse, Elite Property Care and National Hospitality Management.

If you are so inclined you can return their favour to us, by supporting them in return. You can find a list of all our current partners here 

Finally, what has happened at Essendon with a player having contracted the coronavirus could have happened to any club. While we at Hawthorn take our responsibilities seriously, there are no guarantees in this life.

What I do say again to all involved in the code, is that we cannot be sure what the future holds. That is why we must get our structures in as healthy a position as possible to be able to meet the unexpected.

Anyway, enough from me. Onwards to next weekend against North Melbourne.

Stay well one and all,

Jeff Kennett
President
Hawthorn Football Club