Opinion Jeff Kennett News, Media etc.

[deanc]

He's on SEN at the moment, don't think he's said anything that can be misconstrued towards Al or the club

A very restrained and jovial Jeff Kennett on SEN this morning - much to the disappointment of the media in general looking for misquote/headline/story.
He didn't even challenge the media contrived 'secret' meetings he's been organising and will continue to arrange with like-minded Victorian club head honchos.
I would of expected Kennett to suggest the 'secret' tag was obviously because no one from the media were invited or informed of such functions. BTW, a SEN caller after his interview stated exactly this...

Kennett's comments and support of Clarko was also disappointing for those in media looking for a headline - sorry guys go fish somewhere else...

 

[Ned Ryerson]

A very restrained and jovial Jeff Kennett on SEN this morning - much to the disappointment of the media in general looking for misquote/headline/story.
He didn't even challenge the media contrived 'secret' meetings he's been organising and will continue to arrange with like-minded Victorian club head honchos.
I would of expected Kennett to suggest the 'secret' tag was obviously because no one from the media were invited or informed of such functions. BTW, a SEN caller after his interview stated exactly this...

Kennett's comments and support of Clarko was also disappointing for those in media looking for a headline - sorry guys go fish somewhere else...

Glad he is unapologetic on the meetings with club presidents. Just like the interstate presidents are free to meet up to discuss common issues - or the presidents of the WA, SA, NSW or Qld clubs are more than free to meet up to discuss issues that are unique to their states.

 

[Gaston]

A very restrained and jovial Jeff Kennett on SEN this morning - much to the disappointment of the media in general looking for misquote/headline/story.
He didn't even challenge the media contrived 'secret' meetings he's been organising and will continue to arrange with like-minded Victorian club head honchos.
I would of expected Kennett to suggest the 'secret' tag was obviously because no one from the media were invited or informed of such functions. BTW, a SEN caller after his interview stated exactly this...

Kennett's comments and support of Clarko was also disappointing for those in media looking for a headline - sorry guys go fish somewhere else...

I think his jovial attitude was due to an over consumption of that whisky he kept speaking of!!

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Jeff's latest missive:

Hi Happy Hawkers.

We face another stiff challenge on Sunday against the Eagles. But as the saying goes if you can’t win the tough games, you won’t win the Grand Final. Who said that? No idea, but still true.

We will assemble on Sunday for our one home game at Etihad Stadium, soon to be renamed Marvel Stadium, and we ask that you please make the effort to attend as our boys are lifted by the noise from the stands.

The last two weeks have not been great, but they are now history and we must focus on the rest of the season starting with Sunday’s game.

As you have seen, the coach is investing in some of our younger players to give them game time and experience and it is important to keep introducing fresh players into our side. Alastair’s mission is to deliver our next piece of silverware, and he continues to be bold in investing in our players.

A piece of history has been relayed to me by Robert Allen who was the author of the book Cazaly, a story about our coach Roy Cazaly who coached the club in 1942 and 43.

The book retells the story of how the club, which was then known as the Mayblooms, became the Hawks. Roy’s daughter Pat suggested to her father that the club’s name should be changed to the Hawks.

This was first mentioned in the Sporting Globe on the 15th May 1943 and adopted by the club at a team meeting on the 25th May 1943.

75 years ago today! No, I was not President then, Dr Walter Jona occupied the chair.

So, a piece of history for us all. Since then we have won 13 Premierships starting in 1961. Or one Premiership every 5.692307692 years! (Call it 6 years). Not a bad record.

To deliver on our current vision of 2050, that is seven more Premierships by 2050, 33 years from now including this year, we need to win one Premiership every 4.7 years. A slightly faster rate than since our name change in 1943, but slightly slower than when we won our first premiership in 1961. Since then we have been winning premierships at a rate of one every 4.3 years, (call it 4 years).

I have no doubt we can do it. But knowing where we came from, and our history is important.

So, thank you Robert for this information. And if you can get your hands on a copy of Cazaly please do, it is a great read.

So now back onto the job at hand. See you at that marvellous stadium…Etihad on Sunday.

Go Hawks.

 

[Happy_Hawker]

Jeff's latest missive:

Hi Happy Hawkers.

We face another stiff challenge on Sunday against the Eagles. But as the saying goes if you can’t win the tough games, you won’t win the Grand Final. Who said that? No idea, but still true.

We will assemble on Sunday for our one home game at Etihad Stadium, soon to be renamed Marvel Stadium, and we ask that you please make the effort to attend as our boys are lifted by the noise from the stands.

The last two weeks have not been great, but they are now history and we must focus on the rest of the season starting with Sunday’s game.

As you have seen, the coach is investing in some of our younger players to give them game time and experience and it is important to keep introducing fresh players into our side. Alastair’s mission is to deliver our next piece of silverware, and he continues to be bold in investing in our players.

A piece of history has been relayed to me by Robert Allen who was the author of the book Cazaly, a story about our coach Roy Cazaly who coached the club in 1942 and 43.

The book retells the story of how the club, which was then known as the Mayblooms, became the Hawks. Roy’s daughter Pat suggested to her father that the club’s name should be changed to the Hawks.

This was first mentioned in the Sporting Globe on the 15th May 1943 and adopted by the club at a team meeting on the 25th May 1943.

75 years ago today! No, I was not President then, Dr Walter Jona occupied the chair.

So, a piece of history for us all. Since then we have won 13 Premierships starting in 1961. Or one Premiership every 5.692307692 years! (Call it 6 years). Not a bad record.

To deliver on our current vision of 2050, that is seven more Premierships by 2050, 33 years from now including this year, we need to win one Premiership every 4.7 years. A slightly faster rate than since our name change in 1943, but slightly slower than when we won our first premiership in 1961. Since then we have been winning premierships at a rate of one every 4.3 years, (call it 4 years).

I have no doubt we can do it. But knowing where we came from, and our history is important.

So, thank you Robert for this information. And if you can get your hands on a copy of Cazaly please do, it is a great read.

So now back onto the job at hand. See you at that marvellous stadium…Etihad on Sunday.

Go Hawks.

Nice of Jeff to address the letter to me personally

 

[Pessimistic]

Marvel actually does have a Hawk...although this version looks like Dangerfield

 

[Goldhawk]

http://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/2018-06-18/kennetts-letter-to-members

President Jeff Kennett has penned the following letter to members.



Good morning one and all.

Well a lot has happened since I last wrote. The bye was my first excuse for not writing sooner, and then a week in Darwin and another interstate trip. Sorry.

The game against Adelaide on Saturday night was the win we needed to keep our finals hopes alive.

While one victory does not a final eight entry make, it does as i say keeps our hopes alive.

Given the evenness of the competition at the top of the leader board, not only will winning games become important but I suspect percentages might be the final determinant.

So, we must keep winning and winning well.

On Saturday night after a lacklustre first half the team opened up to deliver a comfortable win at the last siren.

That win was an appropriate salute to Shaun Burgoyne, who was playing in his 350th game. With 157 games at Port Adelaide including a premiership in 2004, and 193 games for Hawthorn including three Premierships in 2013, 2014 and 2015, Shaun is evergreen. Silky of course, but always consistent.

A remarkable effort in this day and age, and at this stage there is no end in sight to his career. What I did not know is that Shaun has the second most finals appearance of any AFL footballer, after our own Michael Tuck. No wonder he is increasingly referred to as one of the games greats!

Shaun is a wonderful individual, with great values and is an inspiration, not only to our playing group, but to all young players of the code.

Shaun has great personal values, and consistently pays tribute to his wife Amy and their four children for supporting his career. He also recognises the opportunities the Hawthorn Football Club has given him. He is a true clubman. Keep on keeping on, Shaun!

Sunday passed saw a remarkable luncheon celebrating our 1978, 1988 and 2008 premierships.

It was wonderful to see so many members of each of the teams in attendance. Sharing memories, catching up with colleagues and enjoying the brown and gold life blood we all share.

From our 2008 team, Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge, Stuart Dew and Lance Franklin all made the effort to attend (whatever colours they may wear now, temporarily, they will always be Hawks and very welcome at our functions and our club).

There are so many we should salute for building the culture that exists today. Sadly, many have passed on. But yesterday reminded me of the importance of our current players having better knowledge of those players who have played before.

To that end the club and the Past Players Association, under John Kennedy Jnr’s leadership, is putting a lot more work into connecting with all living past players. Together we will ensure the club hosts functions where we bring the players of the past to those of the present. You will hear more of this as the months unfold, but Sunday's function was highly successful, and a great idea staging it as a luncheon rather than a dinner.

I have been assured we will place on our website the interviews from each of the three teams who we were saluting. Great to watch and hear, and in many cases very funny.

I do want to place on record the hard work of all in our events department, who always ensure our events are a remarkable success. Thank you.

My one sadness at Saturday night’s game was the small attendance of 26,000. We, as a club approaching 80,000 members, should be able to do better than that in future. I know the weather was cold and there were a lot of sporting activities occurring, but our boys need to hear our voices, so please try to attend the rest of the games if you can. Next week we go back to Launceston to take on Gold Coast. I hope to see you there.

As I said above we are approaching 80,000 members so we need a sprint to the line please. If you have not yet signed or if you know of someone who should be a member, please sign them up in the next two weeks.

Our VFLW team had a very convincing win against St Kilda at the weekend. Well done girls! They have won four out of the five games they have played to date and are sitting in the top four.

Our men’s VFL team are sitting 5th in their competition, with only two games separating first and 5th. So, we are competitive at all levels, but as we remind ourselves, it is all about the next game.

In short exciting times at Hawthorn. Stay warm and safe. Now to Launceston.

Cheers,

President

Jeff Kennett

 

[SHAKESPEARE]

Jeff, kindly **** off.

Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why about 20k of us didn't turn up!

WILL LANGFORD IS THE REASON PEOPLE STAY AWAY

 

[Flag08]

Jeff,

I'll break it down for you.
- 26,000 turned up
- 10,000 were flicking between the soccer and the footy
- 7,000 decided it was too cold
- 3,000 couldn't be stuffed getting there when half the trains were out and the carpark was closed.
- 5,000 have lost interest since our golden years and will resume normal service when we get back to being the best
- Another 5,000 have decided rolling maul footy just isn't that entertaining

- 8.5 people got lost on the way to the ground and ended up at AAMI​

- 1 decided to watch Poldark...

​

Hey, I like Poldark.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Jeff,

I'll break it down for you.
- 26,000 turned up
- 10,000 were flicking between the soccer and the footy
- 7,000 decided it was too cold
- 3,000 couldn't be stuffed getting there when half the trains were out and the carpark was closed.
- 5,000 have lost interest since our golden years and will resume normal service when we get back to being the best
- Another 5,000 have decided rolling maul footy just isn't that entertaining

- 8.5 people got lost on the way to the ground and ended up at AAMI​

- 1 decided to watch Poldark...

​

Hey, I like Poldark.

Even for all the mitigating factors - 26,000 was a ****ing disgraceful turnout.

For the amount of people who have mentioned it was cold - bloody hell Tiggers fans who lurk on here must piss themselves when they read that. I’ve been around for their games on bitterly miserable days when they were in the doldrums and they still flocked (good portion of their fans don’t live anywhere near Richmond) to games.

Also it’s Melbourne ffs - why is cold weather discussed as though it’s some crazy black swan event.

The Swans and Crows crowds were pathetic for a club with as many members as we have.

 

[Pessimistic]

Jeff,

I'll break it down for you.
- 26,000 turned up
- 10,000 were flicking between the soccer and the footy
- 7,000 decided it was too cold
- 3,000 couldn't be stuffed getting there when half the trains were out and the carpark was closed.
- 5,000 have lost interest since our golden years and will resume normal service when we get back to being the best
- Another 5,000 have decided rolling maul footy just isn't that entertaining

- 8.5 people got lost on the way to the ground and ended up at AAMI​

- 1 decided to watch Poldark...

​

Hey, I like Poldark.

Big Aidyn fan eh? Opening scene would have kept you at home

 

[Flag08]

Even for all the mitigating factors - 26,000 was a ******* disgraceful turnout.

For the amount of people who have mentioned it was cold - bloody hell Tiggers fans who lurk on here must piss themselves when they read that. I’ve been around for their games on bitterly miserable days when they were in the doldrums and they still flocked (good portion of their fans don’t live anywhere near Richmond) to games.

Also it’s Melbourne ffs - why is cold weather discussed as though it’s some crazy black swan event.

The Swans and Crows crowds were pathetic for a club with as many members as we have.

The weather is relevant. It didn't used to be when footy was footy and the TV wouldn't tell you 1/2 the story. You would walk over hot coals to stand in the outer on a freezing day. But now, let's all run down one end and then let's all run down the other, meh. I can watch all 36 players on the screen at the same time. When it's cold, you have a serious decision to make.

 

[Flag08]

Big Aidyn fan eh? Opening scene would have kept you at home

Demelza goes ok.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

The weather is relevant. It didn't used to be when footy was footy and the TV wouldn't tell you 1/2 the story. You would walk over hot coals to stand in the outer on a freezing day. But now, let's all run down one end and then let's all run down the other, meh. I can watch all 36 players on the screen at the same time. When it's cold, you have a serious decision to make.

Passionately disagree - and other team’s crowds would back me up on that. But agree to disagree I guess.

 

[OnTheRocks]

Hang your heads in shame ya miserable lot

 

[Pessimistic]

Demelza goes ok.

Remember the one she smacked him in the mouth? Go girl!

 

[Arrogant Frog]

I'm sitting on the fence a little, the crowd was disappointing no doubt, but agree with the world cup being a major factor. I made the effort, but can understand why others didn't. Weather in other games v Melbourne and Sydney probably resulted in smaller crowds too. But it does frustrate me, that with 80,000 members and with few home games at the MCG, we often get only 25,000 to 30,000 to home games and have barely a home crowd advantage.

Only two home games left at the G, v Geelong & v Essendon, hope we can get 60,000 + to both games.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

I'm sitting on the fence a little, the crowd was disappointing no doubt, but agree with the world cup being a major factor. I made the effort, but can understand why others didn't. Weather in other games v Melbourne and Sydney probably resulted in smaller crowds too. But it does frustrate me, that with 80,000 members and with few home games at the MCG, we often get only 25,000 to 30,000 to home games and have barely a home crowd advantage.

Only two home games left at the G, v Geelong & v Essendon, hope we can get 60,000 + to both games.

What’s most disappointing is that some our crowds this year have been so bloody loud and the atmosphere has been intense. The Geelong game was one of the loudest H&A games I can remember - and all game too not just at the right ending. The Druggers game also I felt we probably outnumbered the * fans, or at least outvoiced them.

Overall though the crowd numbers have been down all season - the Demons and Pies games could have had far more in attendance than what turned up. Our Melbourne home crowd average this year is ~37,500 which is pretty paltry. If we want to be considered one of the big clubs in the league then supporters have to get out to games. Currently even Carlton are averaging more to home games despite being abysmal. Let that one sink in.

 

[JoeHawk]

Jeff,

I'll break it down for you.
- 26,000 turned up
- 10,000 were flicking between the soccer and the footy
- 7,000 decided it was too cold
- 3,000 couldn't be stuffed getting there when half the trains were out and the carpark was closed.
- 5,000 have lost interest since our golden years and will resume normal service when we get back to being the best
- Another 5,000 have decided rolling maul footy just isn't that entertaining

- 8.5 people got lost on the way to the ground and ended up at AAMI​

- 1 decided to watch Poldark...

​

Hey, I like Poldark.

But is it really that bad? We played crows who may have had a few thousand there. If we had played Norf Saints or Melbourne, there would have been around 45-50k people - say 25k from each team? And nothing would have been mentioned. But since we played an interstate side it becomes more noticeable. I for one decided to go to a mates place to watch the game with a few mates, beers and a toasty warm room rather than sit in a 7 deg cold stadium. Only regret is not seeing Silks 350th, but I’ll be sure to be there for his 400th.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

But is it really that bad? We played crows who may have had a few thousand there. If we had played Norf Saints or Melbourne, there would have been around 45-50k people - say 25k from each team? And nothing would have been mentioned. But since we played an interstate side it becomes more noticeable. I for one decided to go to a mates place to watch the game with a few mates, beers and a toasty warm room rather than sit in a 7 deg cold stadium. Only regret is not seeing Silks 350th, but I’ll be sure to be there for his 400th.

I think having a Melbourne average crowd for home games better than only Norf, Saints and the Dogs is pretty damn bad.

 

[Davo23]

What’s most disappointing is that some our crowds this year have been so bloody loud and the atmosphere has been intense. The Geelong game was one of the loudest H&A games I can remember - and all game too not just at the right ending. The Druggers game also I felt we probably outnumbered the * fans, or at least outvoiced them.

Overall though the crowd numbers have been down all season - the Demons and Pies games could have had far more in attendance than what turned up. Our Melbourne home crowd average this year is ~37,500 which is pretty paltry. If we want to be considered one of the big clubs in the league then supporters have to get out to games. Currently even Carlton are averaging more to home games despite being abysmal. Let that one sink in.

What is always disappointing is the big patch of Gold membership seats behind the goals at the Punt Road end of the MCG. They are Hawk supporters who pay for membership to get guaranteed finals tickets, but don’t show up. My seats are in M57, which is on the wing on the northern side, generally well attended, but hidden from the cameras.

I guess it’s your money, you can do what you like, but it is a terrible look: the crowd appears sparse and we seem to have little support, but they are all fully paid seats.

Seriously, the club needs your support right now. The club is fighting to be successful, so get to the damn games and back them, you miserable bastards!

 

[MitchHomieQuan]

I can’t comprehend being a big enough fan to be on a forum like this one but not show up to games at the MCG! Doesn’t matter how cold it is, the club needs our support.
Everyone should have rugged up and got down for Silks 350th. I can see where Jeff is coming from.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

And as I’ve said before - I get life happens, I get family commitments I get that sometimes you can’t go to every game - that’s completely fine. But for Carlton to be drawing more people to games this year on average - good lord that’s a bad look for our supporter base.

 

[HODGEYROAD]

Jeff is right the crowd was a ****ing disgrace, we will simply have to sell 4 home games to Tasmania forever and people simply don't turn up for us enough in Melbourne.

 

[kimbopen]

No, the crowd number was not good on Saturday night.

But ask yourself this -:

How many members live in, or close enough to Melbourne, to come to every home game at the 'G?
How many interstate members do we have?
How many members live in country Victoria, not within easy travelling distance?

I have a few friends who live interstate who purchase a Gold Membership every year - and I reckon there would be plenty more of them who won't always be able to make it to Melbourne for H&A games.

The club should have a decent membership database - they have member forums to discuss what to do about reserved seating and why members don't show up to home games, FFS - why don't they also perform a detailed analysis of where members in each category live, and then they might start to get some more answers around why Level 1 at the 'G looks pretty empty on game day.