Kennett apologises for Hawks loss

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has apologised to the AFL club's members for the
reigning premiers' last two losses, which he put down to shortcomings in
competitiveness and skill.
The Hawks have slipped to a 6-6 win-loss record after capitulating in the second
half of Sunday's 42-point loss to Brisbane in Launceston.
They also lost their round-10 match to Adelaide by 27 points and probably now need
to win eight of their remaining 10 games to claim a top-four finish and the
resultant double chance in the finals.
They could even miss the finals altogether if they don't win at least six.
In an open letter posted on Monday on the club's website, Kennett said the Hawks'
skills and tenacity against the Lions were not good enough.
"Our passes, be they kicks or handballs, were so often badly directed," said Kennett.
"But worse we have lost what I think was our great strength last year and the reason
we won on the last Saturday of September, our team work.
"Yes, we have had legitimate excuses for part of our performance this year, injuries.
"However, that excuse is no longer a defence for the sort of game we put in against
Adelaide two weeks ago and Brisbane yesterday.
"Both were a combination of our failure to apply the appropriate skills and effort
to be competitive.
"We are losing games we should not be losing."
Kennett said the only way the Hawks could force their way back into the top four was
with a major change in approach starting in their next match away to West Coast
after the conclusion of the split round.
"Can we rise up to the challenge? I think we can," said Kennett.
"But we will find out in two weeks when we travel to WA to take on West Coast.
"Between now and then, there has to be a lot of soul searching by our coaches and
players, and a recommitment to the standard of play we know we are capable of
producing."
Kennett said he knew some supporters would not like his comments - or the decision
to make it public.
"If some do not like the contents of this message, I simply say eliminate the
reasons that cause it to be written," he said.
"No more excuses, we must lift our game or pay the price.
"When so much at the club is going so well, the one reason we exist is to play
competitive football to give ourselves the opportunity of competing as we did last
year, on the last day in September.
"Today we are a long way from that standard of play."