Time for Jeff Kennett to put a sock in it

I've been a Hawk fan since the 70's, enjoyed the glory days...watched with despair as the Hawks lost the 96 QF, thinking I no longer had a team, only to have Don Scott and Ian Dicker miraculously hand it back...became an interstate member as a result...and since then enjoyed the ride from 2005 as they started again and built a football power...Jeff oversaw this, and his acumen has been formidable. But at which point does he have the right to tell another club how to run its affairs? At which point does his job description encompass the duties of a journalist (a shock jock at that)? Brayshaw, Lyon, etc, all have the right to answer and condemn unprovoked attack. At which point does he broadcast an opinion in the guise of the HFC, to which there is no specified consensus as to it being the way the rest of us feel? I WANT NM and Melbourne in the comp, I understand that their financial characteristics and concerns encompass more than the simplistic notions given to us by Jeff and Eddie, and I'm not happy that my prez is looking for the headlines (thinking it's great business sense and somehow great for footy and the HFC) in a manner far removed from the respectful and publicly silent Jeans-era approach that incidentally gave us a lot more flags...Jeff - love your work at the club, but for the love of God, stop making Hawk fans look like a-h's (or even worse, Collingwood clones) and shut up!

Ask yourself which other club president has shown the same initiative, drive, leadership, innovative ability, and networking skills as Jeff and Eddie. Ask which other president has taken a faltering club and put it firmly on the path to sustained success. Which other president has had the impact on the game as those two. There you'll find the "other president" who has the right to comment on other clubs. But the Melbourne Football Club is a great club, where our great game originated, and we need it to succeed. Australian Football, the AFL, and other clubs cannot let it fail, which may mean, given the track record since 1964, giving it help it doesn't think it needs.

Interesting that most of the time it's Jeff or Eddie who are quick to comment on other clubs. How come the other Presidents don't?? Yes, they are stakeholders in the game, and the Presidents do have a forum to discuss club matters, policies and changes with the AFL. That's where those discussions belong. I get what you are saying and although everyone has the right to and should speak up at times, there are other times when it might be best to be more considered or sensitive, and the Lyon case was one of those. Garry made a decision to help his ailing friend and his beloved club, an interim measure only. Who wouldn't? He stepped up when he was most needed and I take my hat off to him...so do most!

Gee how original. AFL Presidents grand standing. There are so many cases involving McGuire, Kennett, Brayshaw and others with their.."what about me, what about me" routines. Kennett and McGuire need to understand that despite their opinions at times being relevant, there are times when you need to shut up. They may be right but it doesn't always mean we all want to hear it! As for Brayshaw..he blew a chance at $100M and security for his clubs future so suck it up because you blew it!

How is Melbourne's form (which is only recently pathetic) any of his business? He's not a Melbourne supporter and has no stake in the club, That he lectures Garry Lyon is absurd and typical of his arrogance; I mean, my god, you would think Kennett was the world's leading authority on football, and that he didn't have a stake in an opposition club. His comments about Melbourne's tanking, and the AFL's not stepping in because Jim Stynes is sick, is not only self-righteous, but is complete and total crap. As for North's financial woes, Kennett may be entitled to ask whether the AFL should allocate more money (or as much money) to struggling clubs, however there are several problems in his doing so. Firstly, as accurate as his reading of the North situation may be, he is still not privy to their financial statements. Secondly, he forgets that Hawthorn hasn't always been a powerhouse off the field and that it is currently a powerhouse off the field is not entirely due to his presidency. Thirdly, there are forums in which Kennett can raise these issues, however the way he does it (such as publicly calling North Melbourne stupid) is not only inappropriate but incredibly arrogant. Ultimately, I think he should butt out of the affairs of other clubs.

Thompson's exit was incredibly arrogant (and that he still doesn't get why people might be upset with him is indicative of his arrogance) however Kennett has always been incredibly arrogant. When he was Premier, to now, he has never lacked for confidence, and it has often veered into arrogance. "Why is it wrong to suggest a football club that is bleeding over $5million a year with the smallest membership base was stupid for not moving interstate. (thats $5million the REST of the clubs miss out on)" It's wrong because he's the president of an opposition club. Kennett may feel that North was 'stupid' for not doing so, however it is simply inappropriate for him to comment, and quite frankly, it's none of his business. You mention that the rest of the clubs are missing out on the $, however that is irrelevant. Contrary to what Kennett may think, the clubs do not run the AFL; the commission does. Would Kennett want another President critiquing Allistair Clarkson's contract situation? Perhaps not. Either way, he should focus on his own backyard and allow other clubs to run themselves. "Who enjoys the NAB cup? Most people would agree its a disgrace...... We need people like Jeff or Eddie to talk about these issues, we need people to stand up to the AFL when mismanagement/unfair policies are put into place. He’s leaving in a couple of weeks, he’llbe gone next year and the AFL will have less voices keeping it in line." There is a massive difference between criticizing the AFL, and criticizing other clubs. If he wants to criticize the AFL, I would support that. Just stay out of other clubs' business.

Never argue with a fool Cattery.

I disagree that issues like norths financial woes and melbournes pathetic form are not his business. He is a stakeholder in the game and is therefore entitled to an opinion as to it's future direction. Other clubs that seem to be constantly on the look out for or requiring extra financial assistance are surely going to affect the future direction and strength of the league. And I think he is normally just saying what most of us feel ie Brayshaw=waste of space. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.

Yeah, I see Brayshaw is getting all hot under the collar because someone is challenging his handout. Maybe if he devoted more of his time to getting North Melbourne off the ropes as a club he wouldn't need the charity. Hope he's planning to attend some of those games he's sold to Hobart, for a change.

What about the picture accompanying this article? I didn't realise Campbell Brown came down from the Gold Coast to help out Hawthorn in round 16. Bloke'll play anywhere.

As much as some of the things he says make me cringe, I am a fan of 'the idea' of Jeff Kennett. It's hard to deny that he has improved Hawthorn. Moving out of Glenferrie and ultimately winning the 08' flag are not a coincidence and I believe he made a big push for the move. Secondly, he may be a terrible media personality but he possesses the honesty that few have. He's also a good businessman and is one of the reasons Hawthorn is so successful off field which ultimately leads to on field success. Overall I think it is good that a President has no hesitation fronting the media and simple answering questions when their asked. Again, I'm not necessarily a fan of Kennett himself but as mentioned by someone earlier, it's good not to have a pack full of yes men.

This is pretty well spot on - as the years pass I find I'm appreciating what Jeff Kennet has done and is doing more and more - admittedly from a pretty low base. I also like the way he gets stuck into James Brayshaw - a jokejock who thinks he knows how to run an AFL club, and amazingly convinced many others to think the same thing !

I think Kennet is right about Garry Lyon and the Melbourne debacle, and he has every right to comment. Poorly run clubs like Melbourne and Port Adelaide and North Melbourne and one or two others at present in the AFL end up failing, then they end up being a drain on the initiative and drive and resources of successful clubs. Garry Lyon is clearly out of his depth in his supposed role at MFC and he knows it. If he's not in there 100% to make it work, he shouldn't be in there at all. Dabbling will do no good. Melbourne need a leader with drive and unreserved commitment. As for Bomber Thompson, he did himself no credit at all with the way he abandoned his commitment to Geelong. His place as coach will always be tarnished, not just because he left, but because he left and scuttled back to his old club after first denying that that was what he was doing. The league needs more Jeffs, willing to call a spade a spade.

It's not a matter of not being an AFL yes man, it's a simple matter of what doesn't concern you...butt out. I agree though that he has some relevant views on several issues and has every right to voice them but leave other clubs alone. I take your point though.

He's absolutely right. The jist of the article is that Jeff openly and publicly sticks his nose into the business of other clubs. It's about time he stopped. By the way, calling Thompson arrogant is the pot calling the kettle black as Kennett is the most arrogant man around!

Many economists would argue that it was Kennett that got Melbourne back on the road to economic recovery (and prosperity) after the failed Cain/Kirner era. After a long period of decline, even referred to as a rust-bucket state (along with SA and Tassie), the Victorian capital is now on track to overtake Sydney as Australia's largest city in the next 20 years or so.

How is Kennett saying Thomsons exit was arrogant the pot calling the kettle black?? Why is it wrong to suggest a football club that is bleeding over $5million a year with the smallest membership base was stupid for not moving interstate. (thats $5million the REST of the clubs miss out on) Who enjoys the NAB cup? Most people would agree its a disgrace. I could go on... We need people like Jeff or Eddie to talk about these issues, we need people to stand up to the AFL when mismanagement/unfair policies are put into place. He's leaving in a couple of weeks, he'llbe gone next year and the AFL will have less voices keeping it in line.

Jeff was a lousy politician did nothing for Victoria.

I see what your saying but I cant agree. People like kennett and mcguire are important since they arent AFL yes men, and so offer important perspective that would otherwise be missed. Mcguire from the old football school, and kennet from the new.