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AFL footy bosses accuse Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett of ‘cheap pot shots’ at Gold Coast Suns

Three AFL club chiefs have accused Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett of “cheap pot shots” in an ugly email onslaught circulated to all of footy’s senior leaders. READ THE FULL EMAILS

Three AFL club chiefs have accused Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett of “cheap pot shots” in an ugly email onslaught
Three AFL club chiefs have accused Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett of “cheap pot shots” in an ugly email onslaught

Three AFL club chiefs have accused Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett of “cheap pot shots” in an ugly email onslaught circulated to all of footy’s senior leaders.

Gold Coast chairman Tony Cochrane initiated a brutal series of private emails after Kennett described the Suns’ plight as “a tragedy … but sadly a reflection on the capacity of the board and the people they employ”.

Within hours of Kennett’s comments appearing in the Herald Sun on November 19, Cochrane fired off a scathing rebuke, copying in an AFL “who’s who” including commission chairman Richard Goyder, CEO Gillon McLachlan, and the other 16 club presidents.

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Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett. Picture: Michael Klein
Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett. Picture: Michael Klein

The Western Bulldogs and Geelong presidents Peter Gordon and Colin Carter then weighed in, the series of emails, obtained by the Herald Sun, show.

Cochrane wrote: “Dear Jeff … I’m not sure what you think bestows on you the right to pass judgment or otherwise on other AFL clubs … This is hardly your first time, with both St Kilda and Port Adelaide having received, in the recent past, your vitriol.

“Having cheap pot shots at other members of the greater AFL ‘family’ brings both yourself and your club into disrespect,” Cochrane went on.

Cochrane said: “Before putting your mouth into overdrive next, perhaps try neutral first and remember that these GC Suns Board Members are, like the Board Members at Hawthorn, doing their upmost (sic) … Instead of cheap personal shots you actually might like to applaud them for the hundreds of hours they commit to grow the game of AFL in Queensland. The A of course standing for Australia, of which the last time I looked Queensland was very much a part of? (even on maps in Victoria).”

He also reminded Kennett that Hawthorn had been in the competition for about 40 years before it played in finals.

Gold Coast Suns chairman Tony Cochrane. Picture: Jerad Williams
Gold Coast Suns chairman Tony Cochrane. Picture: Jerad Williams
Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon. Picture: Michael Klein
Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon. Picture: Michael Klein

An hour later, Gordon joined the offensive: “Twenty years ago, the same kind of ‘I know better’ attitude your email calls out, was pushing for half the clubs in Victoria to be eradicated. It’s a lot harder stepping into the role of President of a new club or a smaller club, than one that was spending its excess cash putting gold taps in the washrooms as far back as the 1980s.

“You can’t grow the AFL in a crucible of economic rationalism. No-one ever could. It takes hard work and the collegiate spirit of 18 clubs working together. You guys have the total support of the Western Bulldogs.”

Carter then chimed in, declaring: “All of this is a bit rich coming from Hawthorn!

“Hawthorn applied to join the VFL a number of times before the club was finally accepted in 1925. Hawthorn then won only 29 games in its first ten years in the VFL — an average of less than 3 wins per season over ten years. But we are all pleased that Hawthorn survived its formation years.

“Success takes time. We should be playing the long game and not the short game.”

Jeff Kennett outside an AGM in Sydney last month. Hollie Adams/The Australian
Jeff Kennett outside an AGM in Sydney last month. Hollie Adams/The Australian

Approached on Friday, Kennett said of the comments: “I read them all and I didn’t respond — it didn’t surprise me and it proved my point.

“Those who complain invariably are those who are most reliant upon the largesse.

“Their comments don’t worry me at all. I’ve got broad shoulders. Some have difficulty facing up to the truth and the reality of life, but they are all good mates and defending their patch, I understand that.

“But I remember when I used to argue at the AFL over the three-strike (illicit drugs) rule and everyone thought I was mad, but it turned out to be right. I remember when I argued about concussion … and I was right. At the end of the day you want a vibrant code where everyone can stand on their own two feet,” Kennett said.

“In 1996, neither Collingwood, Geelong or Hawthorn were standing on their own two feet, but they fought back and now they are sort of leaders in the field. You can argue until the cows come home but it’s about leadership, and leadership starts at the top, and that’s the board,” he said.

The Suns haven’t reached the finals in their eight seasons despite generous salary cap and draft concessions and huge AFL investment.

They have sacked two coaches, lost almost all their big-name players to Victorian raiders, and have been handed fresh draft and financial aid.

THE EMAIL ONSLAUGHT

From: Tony Cochrane

Sent: Monday, 19 November 2018, 2.40pm

To: Jeff Kennett

Cc: Andrew Bassat; Andrew Pridham; Andrew Wellington; Ben Buckley; Colin Carter; Dale Alcock; David Koch; Eddie McGuire; Glen Bartlett; Lindsay Tanner; Mark LoGiudice; Peggy O’Neal; Peter Gordon; Rob Chapman; Russell Gibbs; Tony Shepherd; Gillon McLachlan; Richard Goyder; Bob East; Paul Scurrah; Sam Riley; Alan Mackenzie; Leschen Smaller; Simon Bennett; Martin Rowland; Mark Evans

Subject: Your Sun Herald Article

Dear Jeff,

If you are quoted correctly in the Herald Sun article below then you owe my entire Board at the GCFC a massive public apology?

I’m not sure what you think bestows on you the right to pass judgement or otherwise on other AFL Clubs other than the “family Club” you represent? (whom by the way took circa 40 years to play finals). This is hardly your first time, with both St. Kilda and Port Adelaide having received, in the recent past, your vitriol. Having cheap pot shots at other members of the greater AFL “family” brings both yourself and your Club into disrespect.

Perhaps from the very safe distance of Melbourne you might not consider our Board Members as being worthy of their challenge/roles – based on your comments that is clearly what you believe!

But allow me to grant you an insight. All my Board Members work hard and diligently to build an AFL franchise in a young, and demanding market within a brand new AFL region. They put in massive hours and all offer valuable time and effort associated with advancing the cause of our great indigenous game in Queensland, like you and all Club Chairs & Directors freely giving of their time. Further, if you had of undertaken some basic research you would have discovered whilst our on field performance is far from where we wish to be, behind the scenes we have established a superb beachhead for our game on the Gold Coast. Allow me to enlighten you with but two examples from the many I could present.

— We now control a world class sporting facility dedicated around AFL with our build of the Carrara site (Metricon Stadium). From a standing start ten years ago approx.. $500M has been spent bringing this site to an exceptional high AFL standard. Other than a contribution to the facility across that time of $10M from the AFL we have raised all the funds from Federal, State and Local Council – I would say that gives our Board Members (past and present) a reasonable nod to capacity?

— Right now AFL is booming as a sport of choice for young boys and girls on the Gold Coast (and in Queensland generally, not only thanks to our hard work but that of the Lions and AFLQ). Record growth in our game at the grass roots level is something that the AFL and the AFL Commission are very rightly proud of — their support has been fantastic! In fact despite building now four new ovals in our immediate region we have a major capacity issue throughout the winter. Like any broad church it takes real time to build from scratch if you wish to sustain it; as a former non AFL region, what has been achieved at the grass roots level is outstanding! Again not all the work of our Board, but they sure have put the time and effort into the Community to be a significant contributor in all of this growth. Additionally of course they understand for real long term success we need a broad base to build our foundation on, so this work is critical. My Board and our senior management team have been exemplary in this area.

Finally before putting your mouth into overdrive next, perhaps try neutral first and remember that these GC Suns Board Members are, like the Board Members at Hawthorn, doing their upmost. Instead of cheap personal shots you actually might like to applaud them for the hundreds of hours they commit to grow the game of AFL in Queensland. The A of course standing for Australia, of which the last time I looked Queensland was very much a part of? (even on maps in Victoria).

Yours etc,

Tony Cochrane

From: Peter Gordon

Sent: Monday, 19 November 2018, 3.43pm

To: Tony Cochrane; Jeff Kennett

Cc: Andrew Bassat; Andrew Pridham; Andrew Wellington; Ben Buckley; Colin Carter; Dale Alcock; David Koch; Eddie McGuire; Glen Bartlett; Lindsay Tanner; Mark LoGiudice; Peggy O’Neal; Rob Chapman; Russell Gibbs; Tony Shepherd; Gillon McLachlan; Richard Goyder; Bob East; Paul Scurrah; Sam Riley; Alan Mackenzie; Leschen Smaller; Simon Bennett; Martin Rowland; Mark Evans

Tony,

Thanks for copying me in to this email.

I hope you know that the vast majority of the AFL industry appreciate the work you do, the commitment of your (and all of our) volunteer boards and the challenges of growing a club like GCS in Queensland.

Twenty years ago, the same kind of “I know better” attitude your email calls out, was pushing for half the clubs in Victoria to be eradicated. It’s a lot harder stepping into the role of President of a new club or a smaller club, than one that was spending its excess cash putting gold taps in the washrooms as far back as the 1980s.

You can’t grow the AFL in a crucible of economic rationalism. No-one ever could. It takes hard work and the collegiate spirit of 18 clubs working together. You guys have the total support of the Western Bulldogs.

All the best,

Peter

Geelong president Colin Carter offered his support to Cochrane. Picture: Peter Ristevski
Geelong president Colin Carter offered his support to Cochrane. Picture: Peter Ristevski

From: Carter, Colin

Date: Monday, 19 Nov 2018, 5.23pm

To: Peter Gordon; Tony Cochrane; Jeff Kennett

Cc: Andrew Bassat; Andrew Pridham; Andrew Wellington; Ben Buckley; Dale Alcock; David Koch; Eddie McGuire; Glen Bartlett; Lindsay Tanner; Mark LoGiudice; Peggy O’Neal; Rob Chapman; Russell Gibbs; Tony Shepherd; Gillon McLachlan; Richard Goyder; Bob East; Paul Scurrah; Sam Riley; Alan Mackenzie; Leschen Smaller; Simon Bennett; Martin Rowland; Mark Evans

Dear Tony

I also assure you that your club has Geelong’s support. We appreciate the huge task involved in setting up a new club in non-traditional areas as well as the strategic importance that sits behind the expansion.

I point out too that our club supported the establishment of the Suns and Giants when they were established and that we were not recipients of AFL aid at the time. I was also at that meeting and it is unfair to suggest that clubs only support the AFL because they are “victimised” by the AFL if they don’t.

Richard Colless may have questioned the timing but the introduction of the second club in Perth, Adelaide and Sydney was, in each case, opposed by the first established club in that state. That didn’t make them correct!

It was pointed out at that meeting that we would look pretty poor as custodians of our game if, in 25 years’ time, we finished up with a national competition consisting of 14 of 16 teams below the Murray and with more than half of Australia’s population above it. Taking a long term view, the two new teams in NSW and Qld are the right way to go.

The dollar numbers thrown around by critics of the northern expansion are also really misleading because they usually include the AFL distributions that every club receives. As I understand it, the extra amounts given to the new clubs over the amounts provided to our existing clubs is a number that would be largely covered by the increase in the TV contract because of the ninth game.

Finally, all of this is a bit rich coming from Hawthorn! Hawthorn applied to join the VFL a number of times before the club was finally accepted in 1925. Hawthorn then won only 29 games in its first ten years in the VFL – an average of less than 3 wins per season over ten years. But we are all pleased that Hawthorn survived its formation years. Success takes time. We should be playing the long game and not the short game.

Tony, you and your board, management and football colleagues have our full support

Regards to all

Colin

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/afl-footy-bosses-accuse-hawthorn-president-jeff-kennett-of-cheap-pot-shots-at-gold-coast-suns/news-story/cb8ab4fb479e1b02ab1646b6beeedd38