LIAM Markham can’t wait to meet some of Hawthorn’s premiership heroes today.
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The 12-year-old will get this opportunity this morning when eight of the men that helped deliver back-to-back premierships for the brown and gold visit the Prospect Hawks Junior Football Club at Prospect Park.
Liam yesterday was hoping that dual Norm Smith medallist Luke Hodge and 2008 premiership captain Sam Mitchell will be among that group.
‘‘I’d love to meet Sam because he’s a great player and gets a lot of the ball,’’ Liam said yesterday.
‘‘I’d like to ask Luke and find out what his first step to AFL footy was, as that’s what I want to do.
‘‘The Hawks were really good on Saturday and were just able to beat them (Sydney) to the ball and it will be good to meet some of them.’’
Hawthorn’s time with the Prospect Hawks is one of a number of community activities the club will take part in today while in Launceston as part of its premiership celebrations.
They will also spend time with the Northern Hawks Netball Club, premiership winners from the NTJFA, the Give Me Five For Kids charity and will meet people living with cancer and their families at Cancer Council Tasmania’s Launceston office.
The Hawthorn flag will also be flying at Launceston’s Town Hall this afternoon.
But the main event will be the presentation of the 22 that demolished Sydney to the crowd at the Silverdome this afternoon.
The free public event will begin at midday, with the team expected on stage with the premiership cup at about 2pm.
President Andrew Newbold, chief executive Stuart Fox, coach Alastair Clarkson and captain Hodge will all address the crowd, along with Premier Will Hodgman. A replay of Saturday’s big match will be played on the big screen throughout the event.
The club has promised this year’s celebrations will be more fan and community-friendly, after complaints last year, particularly when it came to the fact there was no time allocated for players to sign autographs.
With more than 8700 Tasmanian Hawthorn members, the club’s Tasmanian operations manager Shayne Stevenson said he was hopeful that there would be a crowd of about 5000 or so today.
‘‘It will just be a great chance for our Tassie-based members and fans to celebrate our premiership with the team,’’ he said.
‘‘It is fantastic that they have been able to bring the cup down on Wednesday this time, as it just gives everybody a bit more time to get organised.
‘‘All our premiership memorabilia will be on sale as well, so people will be able to get their souvenirs from the win and be able to celebrate in a big way.’’ The club has also established a pop-up shop in the K-Mart car park that will be open for the rest of the week.
Hawthorn will also hold a public event in Hobart this morning at Princes Wharf.
Mr Fox told The Examiner earlier this week that the club had started preliminary discussions with the Tasmanian government and the AFL about renewing their sponsorship arrangement, worth $15 million over five years, which expires at the end of the 2016 season.
FOOTY FACTS
WHO: Hawthorn premiership team and coach Alastair Clarkson.
WHEN: Today from noon (with players on stage at approximately 2pm).
WHERE: Launceston Silverdome, Prospect.
ENTRY: Free, includes entertainment and kids activities.