ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr will be shaking when he walks into Manuka Oval on Friday night, and not just because it's expected to be just four degrees with a chance of snow.
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Barr has been waiting 36 years to see Hawthorn play in Canberra. But he also fears he could be a jinx after failing to see a live Hawks win in three years.
The Hawks will play their first AFL premiership match in Canberra when they meet the GWS Giants on a chilly winter night.
The only problem for Barr is he will have to hide his brown and yellow scarf under his suit when he walks into the Giants' official function.
The ACT government is eight years into a 10-year deal with the Giants to have three matches each season. Part of the contract was for the AFL and the Giants to bring as many different opponents to Canberra as possible.
The Hawks are next on the list, which is good news for Barr. He has been a fan since he was 10 years old and admits he jumped on the bandwagon of the 1983 premiership-winning side.
"I was only a TV fan for a long time. The first time I saw the Hawks play live was in 1997. There's been some highs and lows," Barr said.
"It's been a while since I've seen them win live. We've been smacked a few times ... actually now that I think of it, I probably haven't seen them win since a grand final.
"I had a good run ... but at the moment I'm pretty much the kiss of death."
The government, the Giants and the AFL are locked in negotiations about trying to sign a new deal for Australian football content in Canberra.
The ACT Brumbies and Canberra Raiders will be watching closely given the Giants' initial 10 year, $23 million arrangement has been a sensitive issue since 2012.
The Brumbies and the Raiders are hoping to have their government financial commitment increased to a similar level of the Giants given they play all of their home games in Canberra.
All three teams are in the process of negotiating new stadium contracts to play at the capital's premier sporting venues.
It is hoped the Giants will make another long-term commitment to Canberra as early as this year to avoid year-by-year deals and the sort of uncertainty that prompts fans to turn away.
The Giants have tried to make Canberra their home away from western Sydney, winning 10 of their past 11 games at Manuka Oval and increasing attendances.
Barr is juggling his Chief Minister commitments with his Hawks passion this week, hoping to escape the office before half-time to make it to the Friday-night fixture.
The Hawks are 12th on the ladder and are already out of finals contention this season, but Barr is hoping for some Canberra joy.
A family friend introduced him to the Hawks almost 40 years ago, but even then AFL was his third or fourth choice sport.
GIANTS NEWS
"I used to catch the bus to Seiffert Oval to watch the Raiders for every home game and the Canberra Cannons were big [in the NBL] at that time, too," Barr said.
"That's why AFL is a bit different [in Canberra]. People support pretty much every different club.
"The Giants have a base here and a strong following, but it's terrific AFL fans get to see other teams come to Canberra as well.
"I've been a Hawthorn member for 15 years or so, but watching them play the Giants is one of the harder ones to be honest.
"I always hold out hope. I don't get to as many sporting events these days ... My heart says the Hawks for this one."
AFL ROUND 21
Friday: GWS Giants v Hawthorn Hawks at Manuka Oval, 7.50pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.