Toast Thank You Hawthorn

[Budgey]

Like all of us, I’m feeling disappointed right now. But there are plenty of other threads for dwelling on what went wrong etc. This thread is to acknowledge and appreciate the incredible journey that this club has taken us on over the last 3 years, but more importantly, over each of our entire lives.

This year will be the first year in my three kids’ memories that the Hawks are not in the Grand Final. I remember clearly that I was 14 when I experienced that, and had been following the Hawks for 8 years.

We’ve had the joy of watching some of the absolute champions of VFL/AFL run out in brown and gold – Hudson, Matthews, Knights, Dunstall, Brereton, Ayres, Tuck, Dipper, Platten, Crawford, Hodge, Mitchell, Franklin, Rioli, Burgoyne, Roughhead, the list goes on. And then there are the coaches – Kennedy, Jeans and now Clarko.

We’ve screamed ourselves hoarse through some of the best games and rivalries of all time – right up to, and including last week.

Our record across all time periods from 1 year to however old you are, eclipses all other clubs quite considerably.

But most of all, this club has made every single one of our lives happier, more successful and more joyful. If we had barracked for any other club, we would have experienced less enjoyment in life than we have by virtue of supporting Hawthorn.

They say that footy is the most important thing that doesn’t matter. I think that’s probably true, but geez this club has added an element of delight, pride and excitement to my life that I will never forget, nor take for granted.

So thanks for everything Hawthorn – You are both a champion club and a club full of champions. We are the luckiest supporters in the land. And for certain - we will be back on the biggest stage before too long.

 

[eldorado]

And we are the luckiest supporters in the land.

Yep.

Blessed that something made us go for them back whenever. If it was someone, thank them.

 

[shurg123]

I'm not even upset. Everything after the last flag (or even the first of the trio in 2013) was just icing on the cake, a bonus on top of a bonus. Now I'm just praying the doggies go all the way...

 

[DunstallsHelmet]

I'm not even upset. Everything after the last flag (or even the first of the trio in 2013) was just icing on the cake, a bonus on top of a bonus. Now I'm just praying the doggies go all the way...

Too right. The doggies are everyone's second team

 

[Lebbo73]

I am a little disappointed at losing but the last 3yrs have been awesome. The writing was on the wall when we lost to the Demons. Thankyou Hawks.

 

[filly]

I'm not even upset. Everything after the last flag (or even the first of the trio in 2013) was just icing on the cake, a bonus on top of a bonus. Now I'm just praying the doggies go all the way...

Doggies or GWS(imo huge show both teams against the handbaggers barring umpiring irregularities)

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Just a bit numb, but what an era. And there's every chance we'll be back near the top next year if we navigate this off-season properly.

For the utter hatred we inspired - we must have been pretty damn special.

I remember at the end of the 2015 grand final there was an old fella who had come to the game by himself and was sitting next to me. He was a bit emotional - and I said to him 'are they better than the team of the 80s?' and he just nodded as he wiped away a tear. Can't buy memories like that.

 

[Symons]

So, yeah, a four peat would've been nice - nobody is denying it. But no-one can seriously complain.

If you think about the past few years:

- Watching us fall out of the 8 in 2009 due to a horror run of injuries and our gameplan being exposed was devastating.
- Watching us drop game after game after game at the start of 2010, after being so confident that a big off season would see us restored to our fighting best...that was devastating, especially as it saw us miss out at the pointy end of the season.
- Watching us lose in a final 2011 after such a brilliant season...that was devastating.
- Dropping a very winnable grand final in 2012 was completely, utterly and totally devastating.

This...this is not devastating.

After 2012, I was certain we'd bounce back, but there was a niggle in the back of my mind that our champion team had missed their call - that they'd gone early in 2008 and sacrificed the following years.

And then we had the last 3 seasons - and we stormed every single grand final. Forget the tight clinches; we blew the other teams apart, and the gratification of destroying Sydney following 2012 and Franklin's departure...it was joyous. We even got the wood back over the Cats after losing so many in a row.

Our team have been outstanding, and shouldn't be judged by this year - just as we wouldn't judge the 08 team by their 09 play. It was obvious from early on that we were struggling to stay afloat - and it's no surprise, with the core of our talent being well over 30, our major target inside 50 being sidelined with a serious illness, and us blooding so many youths. Considering our curtailed pre-seasons for the past 5 years, it's no surprise that we ran out of legs.

We'll be back; it's adios, not RIP.

 

[Gunstall555]

Wow what a journey.

It all started with the heartbreak of watching Luke Ball kick one out of his ass from a stopage after thinking Franklin had got us the win.

In 2012 we dominated a grand final, but couldn't put the score on the board and I thought we were cooked, and had missed a golden opportunity to win another elusive flag.

In 2013, thank you Burgoyne - that final quarter in the prelim is my favourite quarter of footy of all time, and you were THE MAN!!!!

In 2014, a rampant Sydney, poached our best player in Franklin, finished on top, just demolished their prelim opponent in North as held on for dear life against Port, with Malthouse claiming Sydney's list the best ever assembled and the media giving us no hope, we didn't just find a way to win and gain vengeance over 2012, we demolished the Swans in a way I thought was unimaginable. Before when I said the last quarter of the 2013 prelim was my favourite quarter of all time, the duration of the 2014 grand final has been my most favourite game of all time. Especially considering I had to put up with a Swans fan who had been baiting me all week, thought he was top shit, then rocks up to the grand final to support his team....wearing a Waratah's guernsey!!!

2015, doing it the hard way, losing to WCE in Perth, going back via Fremantle in Perth when given little or no hope, and then destroying West Coast only weeks after they touched us up. Another beautiful day.

2016, we had hope, on top until the 2nd last round, 9 game winning streak in the middle of the year, but just didn't have it. Our hearts were broken with the terrible news that Roughy's cancer had returned. We couldn't get up at the end of the year, but I know they gave it their all. That is all I ever want from my club.

I wonder what our 2017 story looks like.

Thank you for everything Hawthorn, I will be forever grateful for the last 6 seasons, and the legend of our success will never be forgotten.

Boys, go out and have a few cold ones, you've earned it!!!

 

[MistyAvalon]

when I think of losses like this. I am reminded of seasons when we didn't win one game.. those years are long gone.. but some of the supporters are still around. If they managed to s tand by their club, I am sure we can too

 

[MowShow]

Still champions.

 

[Faithful Hawk]

when I think of losses like this. I am reminded of seasons when we didn't win one game.. those years are long gone.. but some of the supporters are still around. If they managed to s tand by their club, I am sure we can too

I still remember the early to mid 2000's was a hard slog but worth all the pain.

Thank you to the Club for what they have given us over the last 8 years, I'm sure it's not finished yet and we will be back stronger next year.

 

[SSSSSS]

The GOAT side. And I'm not even specifying the 80's or the Clarko era.

That's how bloody good we have been.

 

[BlueWaterHawk]

Great thread, I was actually enjoying the last quarter watching the players I've loved so much and considering what they've achieved. It'
s been one hell of a ride.

Thank you Hawthorn FC and all the players who toil every week for the team. Collectively, you're one of the best things that ever happened to me.

 

[Baz_hawk]

Was never going to last forever but **** me the last few years have been amazing. To go back to back to back in a 18 team competition is unlikely to happen again for a very long time. GWS are the only side that threaten this record I feel given the depth of talent they've been handed.

Love the club, loved the last 4 years and couldn't be prouder to be a member. Whilst supporters of other sides celebrate our loss, it's nice knowing that in the past 3 years we've had more success than most of these supporters have experienced in their lifetime.

 

[Franko Armani]

Yup I've been blessed twice! The 80's and now! Love this club!

 

[Shwab]

This team has overcome incredible challenges and achieved so much - fancy being one kick away from a 6th straight Prelim?

Great thread, great club, congrats Doggies

 

[bradburygold]

I should have invested in more 3peat memorabilia

 

[HawkMongrel]

Rapt for the Dogs, they deserved it.

I'm filthy with our fans that left the stadium early.

This team deserved your standing ovation as they walked off. Bandwagon floggos.

 

[shurg123]

Just reminiscing about where it all started...



Still gives me chills.

 

[Gene Simmons]

It's amazing though how a single moment can just change everything..

2013 & 2014 prelims could have easily have gone the other way and last week Smith kicks that goal and we would have gone straight to a Prelim and still be in with a shot.

I feel nothing but satisfaction for what this amazing club has delivered... But I must admit Grand Final day will feel abit empty this year..

 

[Sleutheren]

We've all been fortunate enough to experience something absolutely joyous not once or twice but three time in a row. That's three summers of pure contentment. Thank you Hawthorn. Again.
Every generation of Hawthorn supporter since 1961 has been blessed with the experience. What a club.

 

[Dave Id]

when I think of losses like this. I am reminded of seasons when we didn't win one game.. those years are long gone.. but some of the supporters are still around. If they managed to s tand by their club, I am sure we can too

1950 was not that long ago. Just ask ThaiHawk

Some of us were quite happy to see the Doggies win last night.
We remember what it used to be like.....underdogs.
Hope they go all the way!

 

[A Cut Above]

You'll hear nothing but good things from me about this season, disappointing though its been. As others have said we've been absolutely blessed to witness this amazing era, and those of us old enough have been even more fortunate to enjoy yet another unprecedented era of dominance in the 80s. Literally no other club's supporters can say the same.

So all things considered we are still years ahead of the curve. Tonight may have been a changing of the guard -as will next week, possibly the first GWS vs Doggies prelim of many- but Clarko has extracted 4 flags out of this group which is far more than any of us ever hoped for when he arrived at the club.

As for 2016, we did remarkably well to make the top 4 given the adversity we faced. The club blooded a ton of exciting young talent in Howe, Burton, Sicily, O'Brien, Brand, Lovell, Pittonet & Stewart, Cyril had his best season ever, and we kept our 10 year streak over Carlton alive haha. If we weren't so shockingly spoiled for success it would've been regarded as a good year, as things stand there are positives to be taken out of it and already we're hearing good things about stars will will headhunt next year. 2017 is a new challenge for Clarko and I can't wait to see how The Master tweaks things.

We support an AFL powerhouse and that isn't changing anytime soon. We're the luckiest footy fans in the world to support this amazing club.



P.S. Sorry about my sig, I lost another bet to a Handbagger.

 

[ItsOver9000]

Simply put we have been privileged to witness and support the greatest team ever in one of the greatest dynasties that has ever happened in footy. I couldn't be more proud of our hawks!