As the 2013 AFL season came to an end, one feels the media throng were draped in black out of mourning for the death of the ‘Kennett Curse’.
It was a rivalry that captivated all in the aftermath of Geelong’s shock loss to Hawthorn in the 2008 grand final, when senior Cats players led by Paul Chapman made a vow to never lose to the Hawks again. Reams of print were dedicated to portraying all its colour and complexity, but the truth of this compelling feud was that it was a rivalry in name alone.
A ledger of 11 consecutive Geelong wins points to dominance rather than a real rivalry. Fans will dispute this by pointing to the tense nature and tightness of the games, but the fact remains that only one team ever won.
The basis of any rivalry is real gut-wrenching heartbreak that leaves a lasting legacy, such as defeats in cutthroat finals or grand finals. The two defining blows saw Hawthorn inspire the ‘curse’ by shocking Geelong in the 2008 grand final, then end it by breaking Cats hearts once more in the 2013 preliminary final.
Geelong might have won 11 straight, but they were home-and-away games and only one second chance final. Geelong cut Hawthorn with a pen knife, while Hawthorn bludgeoned them with an axe.
As we bemoan the death of the curse, one rivalry of blood feud prportions has existed for 30 years and promises to rise to prominence in 2014 once more – Hawthorn versus Essendon. It’s a blood-curdling feud that is underplayed when you try to define it as mere hatred, for it is more, much more.
Its birth was three consecutive grand finals between 1983-1985. Hawthorn drew first blood with a crushing 78-point win, including an incident that saw the Dons darling Tim Watson taken out with a king hit during the game.
The Dons returned in kind with back-to-back flags. In 1984 they’d lost all three previous encounters with Hawthorn and came back from 23 points down at three-quarter time, while in 1985 they flogged the Hawks in Leigh Matthews’ farewell game.
The on-field action ingrained an irrational loathing between all involved. Former Hawks captain Don Scott did everything but out Roger Merrett as a sniper in the q983 finals, before Bombers coach Kevin Sheedy implied the Hawks were drugs cheats a year later.
Years have passed and there have been no more grand final clashes, but the tension and sincere loathing has remained, even festered.
The highlight was a 10-year period between 1994-2004, where Essendon lorded it over Hawthorn on the scoreboard as well as holding them up to ridicule with a frequent taunt: “Essendon players wear liniment, whereas Hawthorn players wear tanning lotion.”
Questioning one’s manhood by labelling them pretty boys was a step too far, leading to the infamous ‘line in the sand’ brawl in 2004. The Hawks might have got smashed on the scoreboard, but they took a few Dons players’ looks with them.
In many eyes, the seeds of Hawthorn’s current success were sown on that day. A similar opportunity is now afforded Essendon in a Round 2 clash against the reigning premiers.
After impressively disposing of highly touted North Melbourne in Round 1 with a team comprised precocious youth and established class, they are ready to make a mark.
Making them deadly dangerous is the inclusion of masterful coach Mark Thompson, who led Geelong from the wilderness to two flags. His knowhow is just the fillip Essendon needs to take it from a finals chance to a flag contender, and he’s already made an impact after just one match in charge.
If that potential is realised with a win over Hawthorn on Friday night, it will flick the switch on the renewal of one of the AFL’s bitterest rivalries by adding on-field credibility to it.
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Round 5 of the AFL provided plenty of action, from big scorelines to upset wins and pressure starting to build on some clubs and coaches already.
The Western Bulldogs player collapsed in the centre of the ground after copping a hit from Jake Stringer - appearing dazed before playing out…
All class from the Bombers star.
That'll teach Craig Kelly to have a son who plays for Essendon!
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