Hawks’ VB gift to Albo stalls at Kirribilli as Hawthorn eyes Geelong prelim

Hawthorn president Andrew Gowers arrived at Kirribilli House with a case of Victoria Bitter after the Hawks’ AFL finals win over Greater Western Sydney, but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not drink the VB. Instead, Albanese opted for Albo Pale Ale, brewed in Sydney’s inner west by Willie The Boatman, a choice captured in reports about the gathering. The exchange drew attention from sports and political observers, with outlets noting the beer twist alongside Hawthorn’s postseason push. The Age reported the details of the gesture and the PM’s preference, underscoring the light-hearted moment that followed a high-stakes match.

Two weeks earlier, Hawthorn had staged a fourth-quarter shootout with GWS, prevailing by 19 points to reach another Adelaide Oval semi-final, a victory they would also seal. Senior Hawks staff were invited back to Kirribilli House after the Giants clash, and Gowers carried the VB case into the residence. He later reflected on the etiquette of guest conduct, saying, "When you are a guest of someone’s house, you should take something." The episode centered on a case of VB, but Albanese’s beer of choice—Albo Pale Ale—was quickly foregrounded as the night’s alternative. The beer, brewed in the PM’s electorate by Willie The Boatman, became a talking point as Hawthorn prepared for Friday’s preliminary final.

Looking ahead, Hawthorn is set to meet arch-rivals Geelong in a blockbuster AFL preliminary final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Hawks extended their finals run with a big win last Friday in Adelaide, capping a season that has built on steady improvement under coach Sam Mitchell. Jack Gunston was a focal point, delivering five goals in the semi-final v Adelaide and reinforcing his All-Australian form. Mitchell tempered expectations about late-season travel fatigue, noting that Gunston’s hamstring issue from late in the Adelaide game was not expected to derail him, though he acknowledged it will be monitored.

Garnishing the forward line alongside Gunston were teammates Jack Ginnivan and Jarman Impey, who both reported soreness from the big win. Mitchell, speaking ahead of training on Wednesday, said the team would assess the players’ readiness for Friday’s clash and that the core group’s health looked positive overall. Gunston’s five-goal haul was highlighted as a standout performance, a reminder of the veteran’s influence in big games. Mitchell added that Gunston’s production in a difficult role has been a hallmark of Hawthorn’s season, and that the club would approach the Cats with a clear plan.

The preparation period ahead of the prelim has included a mix of rest and on-field work as Hawthorn balances recovery with the need to maintain rhythm. The Hawks will head into the Friday night showdown with Geelong aiming to extend a campaign that has seen them push deeper into September football than in recent years. The AFL finals carry high stakes for Hawthorn, and the club’s leadership, including Gowers, will be watching closely as the team shapes its final push toward a potential Grand Final appearance.

Meanwhile, the public narrative around the Kirribilli House moment—centered on a VB gift and the PM’s choice of Albo Pale Ale—adds a light, human dimension to the week’s high-pressure football. Whether the beer banter translates into broader political or fan sentiment remains to be seen, but it has already become a footnote in a season that has otherwise centered on a long, hard-fought march through the AFL finals.