Hawks get keys to city

THE KEYS to the City of Boroondara were presented to the 2008 premiers by the mayor, Ms Coral Ross, at a ceremony at the Hawthorn Town Hall on Tuesday.

Several hundred faithful fans gathered to watch the ceremony, attended by most of the Hawthorn players from Saturday's 26-point win over Geelong.

Brad Sewell, one of the stars of Hawthorn’s midfield, said the idea that the team had won the flag was only now starting to seem like reality.

"It's slowly sort-of starting to sink in now, and the support from you guys out there has been unbelievable," he said.

"We've had some tough times a few years back, but everyone stuck fat and this is what's happened, so it's been sensational."

A typically bruised and battered Campbell Brown said the pain of Saturday had already been forgotten.

"We feel fantastic – there's a few sore boys, but it's been a great celebration over the last couple of days," the 25-year-old said.

"Yesterday down in Tassie was a fantastic day, plenty of support down there, so it was good to get down there and show the cup off to them."

Defender Stephen Gilham, who came to the club in 2006 after playing one game for Port Adelaide, said the move was clearly a terrific one.

"Absolutely – I couldn't have asked for better," he said. "All the boys started their journey five of six years ago, and I was lucky enough to come three years ago.

"I took the medal off and put it on my bedside table, and I had the biggest smile when I woke up.

"You're out there on the MCG and you're actually living the dream you dreamed for so long as a kid, so it's fantastic."