Hi there, Hawkers.

Well to say it has been a busy week is of course an understatement.

So let me fill you in as fully but as succinctly as possible.

As you know we had all hoped, and publicly expressed, that discussions between Hawthorn and our senior coach would not take place until the end of the year.

Some weeks ago, Alastair asked that the matter be bought forward.

Out of respect to him we did so.

That meant the Board had to consider the position of Hawthorn’s senior coach beyond 2022.

Alastair has been our most successful coach who, with an extraordinary group of players, won us four premierships.

But the Board had to consider what was best for the club for the decade beyond 2022.

After much discussion and acknowledging that Alastair would have been in the same job for 18 years by end of next season and was unlikely to be the solution for the next decade, we decided that a change of senior coach was inevitable.

Having made that decision, we also thought it was better to inform the coach upfront so he could have maximum flexibility in considering his future. That is seeing out his time with us at Hawthorn or accepting an appointment at another club.

We thought the concept of the master, Alastair and the pupil Sam would work.

Sadly, it did not work out as we had hoped.

On Tuesday evening the coach expressed the view that he felt the club would be better served if he handed over to Sam at this season’s end.

After further discussion we agreed.

Clarko will leave the coaching role with the respect he has earned and deserves.

But he is not leaving just yet and will continue coaching Hawthorn until the end of this season.

Further, just as coach John Kennedy Senior’s influence has long lingered at Hawthorn, we hope that Clarko’s will do the same.

So, Sam Mitchell has been given the same opportunity Alastair was given in 2004. An Assistant Coach, a former player, trained for a senior position, ready and excited to prove himself. Alastair was 36 years of age at the time of his appointment Sam will be 39 years of age. Sam is ready and primed.

Sam will be fully supported by the Board, the players and I am sure the membership. He has already earned an incredible reputation at Hawthorn and beyond.

Sam played 307 games for the Hawks, played in four premiership sides, was our premiership captain in 2008, and Brownlow Medallist in 2012. Beat that record if you can!

We hope from the end of this season Sam will be our coach for the next decade, and we fully expect he and our players will develop into the Hawthorn machine that will deliver our next piece of silverware.

Change is not always easy but standing still can often have your opponent’s leave you behind.

We have all seen glimpses on the field of the good things that lie ahead for us. No, we have not won many games but we are giving our players of the future the games they need to develop.

They are being assisted by some wonderfully experienced players who themselves are premiership players with years under their belts.

Yes, we have encountered some choppy waters recently and might for the next few days, but we remain focused on what is in the best interests of the club.

That was the reason Alastair made the concession today. The club is more important than any of us. The club will continue, as personalities change.

It is the club that binds us all. Alastair, me, Sam the Board, players and we do it all for our members.

And to that end thank you Hawkers wherever you reside. You have stuck with us through almost two years of life altering COVID. In fact, our membership numbers grew over last year’s result.

So, one other matter briefly. On Sunday, we play Brisbane in Launceston. The week after Collingwood, and the week after Western Bulldogs. Three games in a row in Tassie. Never before has that been achieved. Seven games in total in the Apple Isle.

We are grateful for the opportunity to play some of the best supported games in the home of our major sponsor Tasmania and give our many Tasmanian members more opportunities to watch us play than ever before.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.

Stay safe, get vaccinated and go Hawks.


  

Jeff Kennett
President
Hawthorn Football Club