Kennett and a bunch of AFL dignitaries, as well as a leading Hawks coterie group, had their scheduled flight from Melbourne to Perth delayed by almost three hours because of shocking weather at Tullamarine Airport.
Technical problems with planes was also said to have contributed to Kennett and his travelling party's woes.
The Hawks boss and around 60 fans and supporters on the flight eventually caught a flight to Perth and arrived at Subiaco Oval late into the first quarter.
Hawthorn suffered a horror first half when they managed only 1.4 to Fremantle's 4.3 and were effectively our of contention five minutes into the third term when the Dockers slammed on two quick goals to lead by 36 points.
It capped a horrendous week in crisis mode for the embattled Hawks.
Hawthorn was in damage control throughout the week leading into the knock-out clash on the road after Hawks player Travis Tuck was found under the influence of a liquid amphetamine GBH.
Tuck, 22, was the first AFL player suspended under the league’s contentious three-strike drug rules forcing the Hawks into crisis mode as preparations raged for their trip to Perth and confrontation with Fremantle.
Tuck was reportedly fighting a severe bout of depression as his AFL career hung in the balance and was not a contender to play against the Dockers after failing to play a senior game in 2010 and making only 11 appearances last season.
The son of Hawks playing legend Michael Tuck, was on the brink of potentially being cut from Hawthorn’s senior list but club management has since indicated the running utility player will be retained for next season.
The outspoken Kennett has been a staunch opponent of the AFL’s drug rules and repeatedly calls for the league to confide more information on any player with drug problems to communicate greater with clubs involved.
AFL ground announcer Craig Willis was also a victim of the last minute hitch with flight, forcing league officials to scurry with late alternatives to host traditional pre-game functions and ceremonies.
After his late arrival into Perth, Willis elected to catch a return flight to the east and did not even leave the airport before he returned to Melbourne.