SOME OF KENNETT’S BEST MOMENTS WITH HAWKS

The “Kennett Curse” became a term coined after the then-Hawthorn president began a losing run against Geelong which lasted 11 games. Hawthorn, as underdogs, beat the Cats in the 2008 grand final and Kennett declared Geelong didn’t have the “mental drive” to beat Hawthorn. Geelong went on to win 11 straight games against the Hawks. Word has it Geelong made a pledge to never lose to Hawthorn again in the wake of that grand final.

Hawthorn were in trouble in 2010 and coach Alastair Clarkson was under

pressure. Kennett sent an email to members saying everyone’s reputation and goodwill had been

used up and everyone was on notice. He even floated the idea of dropping Clarkson back to coach in the VFL for a couple of weeks. It didn’t eventuate. Kennett – not president at the time – also suggested in 2013 that Clarkson’s time may be up before the coach went on to win flags in 2013, 2014 and 2015.