Somebody we may have forgotten

Manila_Hawk

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Thread starter #1
Team

Like every other Hawthorn supporter, I am caught up in the euphoria of back-to-back premierships.

And like everyone else, I allocate all of my accolades to Clarko, Hodgey, Mitch, Burgers etc...

But spend a moment and remember everything that Jeff Kennett has done for our club.

He is a huge part of the reason we are where we are today.

Remember 5-2-50.

In my view, he is a huge part of our renaissance. Bunghole - yes, absolutely.
But let us not forget Jeff.

Where we were, and where we are now. Because of him.
 

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#3
Looks like 5-2-50 was a bit of a soft target. 7-3-68!

Not good enough Hawthorn! Heads should roll!



EDIT : I think Jeff is critically underrated in what he did for Hawthorn. There's a corporate savagery about the club now. We're not just an AFL club, we're ****ing Hawthorn! I think the best thing he did was the ultimate act of selflessness. The maximum terms clause for board members and president. Brilliant move in hindsight.
 
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crazywildhorse

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#6
The best thing about Kennett was that he knew that when it was his time to take off. He is a big visionary thinker, able to innovate and see outside the box, and was the type of guy we needed at the time. These types are necessary for an entity to do well, but if they hang around, they forget about consolidation. He played his role, and many of his investments have proved invaluable. Like 6S' said:
I consider him to be an absolute campaigner but atleast he's ours.
 

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play2win

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#13
there are plenty of people that the club and supporters should be thankful to and kennett is one of them. for his past political office and outspoken nature he puts himself out there to be judged and it seems your either for or against him - he polarises people. one of his strengths is one of clarko's strengths too, they seem to always strive for continuous improvement, on a mission to destroy complacency and continuously 'improve' the club/people around them. true leadership and for what those 2 guys have achieved it is a highly admirable character trait.
 
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#14
So the constant threatening to sack clarko was a ruse ?

Bloody brilliant !!

In fact I'm amazed that in all the victory and thankyou speeches I've heard, the poor old bugger hasnt been mentioned once.

Bloody ingrates
This. Jeff was the equivalent of a mad hatter

Served a purpose but I'm glad he's gone. The HFC always had the potential to be one of the truly great brands in the AFL - who else can claim to have won 8 flags in 20 years. I'm glad we are now realising this potential
 
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#18
This. Jeff was the equivalent of a mad hatter

Served a purpose but I'm glad he's gone. The HFC always had the potential to be one of the truly great brands in the AFL - who else can claim to have won 8 flags in 20 years. I'm glad we are now realising this potential
Maybe so....But the bloke brokered the very lucrative Tassie deal 4 us!....Sometimes it takes a perceived 'nutter' to think outside the box in driving things forward!

Was also one of the very few presidents left who had the cahunas to take VLAD & head office on.....Our membership numbers 'exploded' during his term....No one can deny that!

HATs off Jeff to a 'mad hatter.'
 

QuietB

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#19

kolchak

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#20
Jeff and the Hawks went against the wishes of the AFL to get the Tassie deal done, and I reckon a few friends in high places would have helped that deal. Definitely helped Hawks cause in a big way. Though I'd rate Dicker higher. Kennett came in at the right time and left at the right time.
 

cryptor

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#21
Of all the many people who should be thanked he is certainly among them. He is definitely not one who could ever be forgotten. He makes sure of that.

Though he has been much quieter ever since Clarko proved him wrong in 2013 by winning the flag after his head was called for. Gone completely silent with 2014. He could possibly cease to exist in physical form if we won again in 2015.
 

dcutter

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#22
Richie Vandenberg also played a big part in turning things around.
Agreed, vandenberg was huge for us early in the piece. Got nominated captain by the rest of the playing group as he led the way on the training track. Didn't have an ounce of skill but somehow managed to captain an AFL team. Our great team.
Stood tall in the line in the sand game, which for me was a defining moment in our history. We've never taken a backwards step against any team since, in particularly essendon, who coincidently have become our whipping boys for the better part of a decade now.
Led by example on and off the track when guys like lewis, buddy, roughy, birchall were coming through.
Certainly played a key role in laying the foundations for the ongoing success the hawks have had.
 

Books

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#23
Lot's of people have contributed to the strength of Hawhorn.

Don Scott, Dicker and Kennett all played a part, so is Newbold.
Vanders, Mitchell and Hodge have all made us better than we were before their arrival.
Clarko can never be underestimated.
Dunstall was crucial in getting Clarko, and has helped in other ways.
On fied, Rioli and Franklin were great for the marketing team.
Many other have also been significant.

One for all and all for one - it really is the way we play at Hawthorn.
 
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