Hi guys,

Thank you to many of you for your words of support last week. It was much appreciated.

It turned out to be an expensive week for me, $5,000 to the AFL and $57 to the parking officer in my City of Boroondara on Saturday morning.

I also had set a challenge to Jarryd Roughead last year when I said if and whenever he kicks seven goals or more in any one game, I will buy him a seven fold tie. A seven fold is a tie made by BVLGARI, and my favourite.

But this is a cost I am happy to pay, and hope by the time my presidency concludes at the end of 2011, Jarryd will have a most wonderful collection of seven folds.

When I first saw Roughy play, I thought he had the potential to equal the success of the first Hawthorn full forward I watched play, the great John Peck, and after John our wonderful Peter Hudson.

Roughy has size and strength, he has courage, he leads, he has strong hands and his kicking is increasingly accurate. All being well Jarryd will be at Hawthorn for years, and will only get better.

Together with Buddy, Dewy, Cyril, Browny and many others who are kicking our goals, we have a formidable goal kicking machine, who are fed from players ahead of them. One day it will be Buddy and the next, Roughy who scores the majority of our goals. But what a team!

Mind you I am not sure with what gear Jarryd will wear the seven folds, apart from the Club suit, as I have not seen anything in his wardrobe that is suitable. But maybe he will introduce a new fashion trend.


Saturday’s game was fought out in the best traditions of the game, tough and unforgiving. Perhaps not the best display of football, but a game I think many of us will remember for a long time.

I must admit as I stood in the race, waiting for the end of the game as I do each match to welcome the players off the field, I was almost knocked over by the roar that went up when Brendan Fevola marked the ball in the dying minutes of the game, just 25 meters from goal, and thought the game was lost.

I thought to myself, well his kick will secure the game for Carlton. But if so it was still a remarkable game.

But it was not to be. Brendan’s kick hit the post as we know, and we went on to win a stella encounter.

I actually found myself feeling sorry for Brendon for a minute or so, until I realised again this is what football is all about.

My lesson, again reinforced as it is in so many other sporting contests, including the one I love to play most, golf, it is never over until the final siren, or the final putt is sunk.

I came away particularly proud of our team and their coaches. The game was a clear display of the ‘character’ I have been talking about this year, where we will have to dig deep to be a contestant at the end of the year. 

                                                           
Congratulations to former president Ian Dicker on receiving AFL Life Membership from the Chairman of the AFL, Mike Fitzpatrick at my President’s luncheon prior to last Saturday’s game.


Again can I appeal to those members from last year, who have not renewed to do so as soon as possible. There are 6,000 of you out there and we need every of you to lift our team at each of our next 16 games.

We will need to win 13 or 14 games in total to compete in the finals, so we need commitment and character from all supporters.
                                                            

Hope this is a better, or should I say quieter and less expensive week.
Stay well

Jeff Kennett
President
Hawthorn Football Club