Given their bitter AFL rivalry, Hawthorn great Jason Dunstall fully understands how the audacious bid to recruit Essendon captain Zach Merrett failed.

Hawks president Andy Gowers also backed club football boss Rob McCartney, who said after the trade period last week it would have been "ridiculous" to meet the Bombers' final demand for Merrett.

Dunstall and Gowers were among club greats who watched on Tuesday morning as the statue of John Kennedy Snr was taken down at their Waverley base.

Hawthorn are in the midst of moving to their new headquarters at Dingley and there was plenty of symbolism as the statue of the club's most important figure was put on the back of a truck for the relocation.

The media opportunity was staged six days after the trade period ended without the clubs striki

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