Hawthorn great Don Scott refuses Legend status due to rift with club president Jeff Kennett
Don Scott captained Hawthorn to two premierships and then saved the club when it was on the brink of merger in the 1990s, so why has he refused to be named a Legend of the club?
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Two-time premiership captain Don Scott has refused Legend status at Hawthorn because of a spat with club president Jeff Kennett.
Scott revealed the blow-up between two of the most influential figures in the club’s history was over the location and timing of the ceremony.
He said Kennett had been “intimidating” in the way he’d handled the situation, which had resulted in him declining the offer from Hawks CEO Justin Reeves.
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Scott explained the circumstances behind the spat on the podcast `You Cannot Be Serious', which he co-hosts alongside Geelong great Sam Newman and the Herald Sun's former chief football writer Mike Sheahan.
“The presentation was going to be made at the Life Members’ Dinner,” Scott said.
“That was the recommendation to the general committee and that was overruled by the board.
“They wanted me as a Legend, but the presentation would not be made at the dinner, it was going to be made at the annual general meeting.
“The way it was put to me was intimidating by Jeff Kennett, it was either take it or leave it.”
There are only eight Legends at Hawthorn including John Kennedy Snr, Graham Arthur, Leigh Matthews, David Parkin, Peter Hudson, Jason Dunstall and Peter Knights.
Scott was inducted into Hawthorn's Hall of Fame when the concept was introduced in 2003. He played in three premierships during his 302-game career and was regarded as one of the most fearless ruckmen of his era.
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He is also seen as the saviour of the club after he led the fight against the merger with Melbourne in 1996.
Scott admitted the disagreement over the award presentation came on the back of an accumulation of issues with his former club.
“It’s like any marriage, there are a lot of little things that go on over the years,” he said.
“There have been a lot of little things that have gone on over the years, we’re going back 40 years, and this is another one.”
Newman and Sheahan both voiced their disappointment at his stubborn stance with podcast guests, AFL greats Bernie Quinlan and Tony Jewell, also urging Scott to reconsider.