Certified Legendary Thread Hawthorn Reserves/Box Hill historical stats thread

[stemline]

1958 Premiers!!

Res Hawks v		For		Ag	W / L	By
1 v  St K	9.21	75	10.10	70	Won	5
2 v  Coll	14.16	100	7.6	48	Won	52
3 v  Ess	9.13	67	10.13	73	Lost	-6
4 v  Melb	11.14	80	9.5	59	Won	21
5 v  Nth	11.13	79	9.7	61	Won	18
6 v  Sth	14.8	92	5.6	36	Won	56
7 v  Fitz	14.16	100	6.16	52	Won	48
8 v  Carl	12.18	90	13.11	89	Won	1
9 v  Foots	12.9	81	11.8	74	Won	7
10 v  Geel	10.7	67	7.6	48	Won	19
11 v  Rich	7.20	62	11.9	75	Lost	-13
12 v  St K	17.15	117	8.14	62	Won	55
13 v  Coll	10.10	70	7.17	59	Won	11
14 v  Ess	13.5	83	11.10	76	Won	7
15 v  Melb	13.11	89	8.13	61	Won	28
16 v  Nth	17.11	113	11.12	78	Won	35
17 v  Sth	23.15	153	8.11	59	Won	94
18 v  Fitz	7.15	57	7.17	59	Lost	-2
2SF v Ess	12.22	94	10.10	70	Won	24
GF v Coll	7.11	53	6.13	49	Won	4

A glorious 15 wins and 3 losses saw the Hawks Reserves finish atop the ladder at the end of the home and away season, along the way setting a new highest score of 153 in round 17 (with Garry Young kicking 11 goals).

Making the finals for just the second time, the young Hawks side took on Essendon in the 2nd Semi. The game should have been over at half time but for the Hawks' appalling kicking, although Essendon weren't much better, the scoreboard showing the Hawks on 6.13 to the Don's 3.9. The Bombers improved in the second half but the Hawks were in control all over the ground, with Elward in the ruck giving the on ballers first use, Fisher brilliant on the wing, and rover Northcote putting on an exhibition of passing, hitting up full forward Garry Young time and time again. Young was the only accurate forward, finishing with 7 majors as the Hawks ran out 24 point winners, and into the Footy Club's first ever Grand Final they went.

The side to take on Collingwood was selected thus:
B: Kann, S.Hay, Ritchie.
HB: W.Hay, McArthur, Maginnes.
C: Sampieri, Shelton, Fisher.
HF: Cabble, Nisbet, Dineen.
F: Northcote, G.Young, Rasmussen.
Foll: Elward, Ingersoll.
Rv: Wilson.
19 & 20: Hill, Foreman.
Em: P.Hay, McVilly, Collard, Stuchbury

The Hawks dominated the first half, with Elward again giving the Hawk's mids good supply. Sampieri on his wing was using his pace and dash to drive the side forward, and John McCarthur at CHB was repelling the Magpies forward moves. At half-time Collingwood threw their side around, and got back into the game. They came home strongly in the last but the Hawks held them out to win by just 4 points, bringing home at last a Premiership to the Hawthorn Football Club. 6 of that 20-man side would play in the first senior Premiership side in 1961.

HAWTHORN		2.5	6.8	7.10	7.11	(53)
COLLINGWOOD		2.1	2.6	4.10	6.13	(49)
Goals:  G.Young 4,  Elward 2,  Sampieri 1.
Best:  Elward,  G.Young,  Wilson,  Sampieri,  Cabble,  McArthur,  S.Hay.

Coach: H.S. Edmonds
Captain: Brian Kann

3 single goalkickers unavailable in round 12:

Young, Garry		63	
Nisbet, Bob		23	
Ingersoll, Terry	20		
Wilson, Geoff		12	
Northcote, Kevin	11		
Dineen, John		10	
Rasmussen, Garry	10		
Collard, Cyril		9	
Shelton, Bill G.	9		
Hill, Malcolm		8	
Cabble, Ron		7	
Elward, John		7	
Sampieri, G		7	
Cooper, John K.		5	
Coverdale, Kevin	5		
Fisher, John S.		4	
Foreman, R		4	
Yeoman, Ray		4	
Youren, Colin		4	
Ritchie, Dave		3	
?			3
Guinane			2
Hay, Phil		2	
Lloyd, L		2	
Maginness, Norm		2	
O'Mahoney, John		2	
Waters, Bryan		2	
Newstead		1	
Stuchbury, D		1

Best Players (complete):

Player			In best	Our BOG
Elward, John		11	1	
Dineen, John		6		
Fisher, John S.		6	1	
McArthur, John H.	6	1		
Northcote, Kevin	6	3		
Rasmussen, Garry	6	1		
Young, Garry		6	2	
Cabble, Ron		5		
Hinks, Ian		5	2	
Maginness, Norm		5		
Ritchie, Dave		5		
Wilson, Geoff		5	1	
Ingersoll, Terry	4			
Sampieri, G		4	1	
Shelton, Bill G.	4	1		
Foreman, R		3		
Hay, Sted		3		
Kann, Brian		3	1	
Stuchbury, D		3		
Collard, Cyril		2		
Hay, Bill		2		
Hill, Malcolm		2		
McVilly, Ray		2	1	
Nisbet, Bob		2	1	
Waters, Bryan		2		
Yeoman, Ray		2	1	
Youren, Colin		2	1	
Cooper, John K.		1	1	
Hay, Phil		1

Cyrill Collard was the first Indigenous player to represent the Hawthorn Footy Club. He'd played most of the previous year in the seniors, but struggled to find sufficient form, and by the end of 1958, was out of the 20 for the Reserves, missing the Grand Final.

John McCarthur was a CHB who debuted for the Hawks in round 8 after a run of strong form in the Ressies. He played all of 1959 in the twos, but improved sufficiently over the next couple of seasons to become the Hawks Premiership CHB in 1961. He ended up playing 61 senior games.

John S. Fisher was in his second season at the club, and although he played 7 senior games in 1958, his Reserves form on the wing was so good he took out the Gardiner Medal as the Best and Fairest across the league.

John Elward had an outstanding season for the seconds, his form warranting a senior debut in round 6. However he would only manage 16 games for Hawthorn, as limited chances came in the senior side.

Another great arrival at the club in 1958 was that of Colin Youren. The 2 appearances in the best players for the Reserves came when he was dropped for two weeks in rounds 8 and 9. Aside from those games, he played every senior game and won the Best First Year Player Award. Another speedy wingman, he played 135 games, including the 1961 and 1963 Grand Finals, earning State Representation 5 times along the way.

The Hay borthers, Phil and Sted, joined their brother Bill at the club in 1958. Both would take until 1960 to establish themselves as senior players, but Phil would eventually settle into full back while Sted, initially the Reserves full back, would end up a tough half back flanker. Both would play in the Hawks first flag.

 

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1959 Premiers!!

Res Hawks v		For		Ag	W / L	By
1 v  Fitz	15.13	103	11.16	82	Won	21
2 v  Geel	14.20	104	7.5	47	Won	57
3 v  Foots	14.12	96	10.11	71	Won	25
4 v  Sth	21.8	134	9.14	68	Won	66
5 v  St K	13.14	92	9.20	74	Won	18
6 v  Carl	14.8	92	8.14	62	Won	30
7 v  Rich	20.13	133	5.6	36	Won	97
8 v  Nth	10.13	73	5.7	37	Won	36
9 v  Melb	8.10	58	10.5	65	Lost	-7
10 v  Ess	15.18	108	6.16	52	Won	56
11 v  Coll	7.10	52	6.13	49	Won	3
12 v  Fitz	12.16	88	10.9	69	Won	19
13 v  Geel	12.19	91	11.11	77	Won	14
14 v  Foots	12.12	84	4.6	30	Won	54
15 v  Sth	9.6	60	4.13	37	Won	23
16 v  St K	9.11	65	7.8	50	Won	15
17 v  Carl	8.18	66	8.10	58	Won	8
18 v  Rich	9.11	65	10.9	69	Lost	-4
2SF v Fitz	13.9	87	10.8	68	Won	19
GF v Fitz	13.18	96	9.11	65	Won	31

With only 2 losses (and both times with more scoring shots), the Hawks Reserves side dominated the 1959 season. They finished on top of the ladder by a street with a record percentage of 151.4%.

With John Dineen and Don Gent starring in defence, the Hawks won the 2nd Semi against Fitzroy by 19 points, and moved into the Grand Final with a lineup named as follows:
B: Kann, Gent, Sullivan
HB: Dineen, Howells, McPherson
C: Toy, Shelton, Fisher
HF: Cabble, Rasmussen, O'Mahoney
F: Ritchie, P.Hay, Coleman
Foll: Elward, McArthur
Rv: Northcote
19 & 20 from: Miller, B.Hay, *****, Randall, Robertson

Four of these blokes would play in the 1961 Premiership.

The Hawks dominated from the opening, and a burst of 3 consecutive goals from full-forward Phil Hay sparked a 6-goal second quarter and 38-point half-time lead. With a winning backline and following division, the Hawks coasted home to win by 31 points, thus landing back-to-back reserves flags.

HAWTHORN	3.7	9.12	11.16	13.18	(96)	
FITZROY		1.2	4.4	5.8	9.11	(65)
Goals:  Elward 3,  P.Hay 3,  Coleman 2,  Northcote 2,  Cabble 1,  Fisher 1,  Ritchie 1.	
Best:  Dineen,  Howells,  Elward,  Ritchie,  Coleman,  McArthur.

Coach: H.S. Edmonds
Captain: Brian Kann

Goalkickers:

Young, Garry		30
Coleman, Brian H.	28	
Hay, Phil		27
Shelton, Bill G.	23	
O'Mahony, John		16
Northcote, Kevin	12	
Cabble, Ron		11
McArthur, John H.	11	
Rasmussen, Garry	10	
Elward, John		9
Cooper, Graham		8
Lloyd, L		7
Robertson, John		7
Sampieri, G		7
Yeoman, Ray		7
Dineen, John		4
Fisher, John S.		4
Miller, W		4
Ritchie, Dave		4
Collard, Cyril		2
Coverdale, Kevin	2	
Pascoe, E		2
Sullivan, Paul		2
Voigt, Noel		2
Ayres, V		1
*****, Bill		1
Connell, Kevin		1
Gibbon, R		1
Howells, Geoff		1
McVilly, Ray		1
Nisbet, Bob		1
Quirk, W		1
Toy, Barry		1

Best Players:

Player			In best	Our BOG
Elward, John		9	1	
McArthur, John H.	9	1		
Dineen, John		8	5	
Hay, Phil		8	1	
Shelton, Bill G.	8	1		
Rasmussen, Garry	7			
Coleman, Brian H.	6			
O'Mahony, John		6	3	
Howells, Geoff		5		
Lloyd, L		4	1	
Robertson, John		4		
Cabble, Ron		3		
Cooper, Graham		3		
Fisher, John S.		3	1	
McVilly, Ray		3	1	
Miller, W		3	2	
Toy, Barry		3	1	
Young, Garry		3	2	
Falconer, Brian		2		
Gent, Don		2		
Hay, Bill		2		
Kann, Brian		2		
Northcote, Kevin	2			
Ritchie, Dave		2		
Sullivan, Paul		2		
Yeoman, Ray		2		
Ayres, V		1		
Connell, Kevin		1		
Coverdale, Kevin	1			
Guthrie, B		1		
Hay, Sted		1		
McPherson, Cam		1		
Sampieri, G		1		
Young, Maurie		1

Garry Young had his 30 Reserves goals on the board by round 8 (including a haul of 7 in round one and 9 in round seven), and played the remainder of the season in the seniors.

John Dineen was a wingman who'd played a lot of great football for the Reserves over a couple of seasons. However he found it difficult to hold a spot in the seniors, playing 17 games over 1958-1960.

Brian Coleman was a rover who played all of his 6 senior games in 1959 after earning a debut in round 5. He remained truly passionate about the club however, working on the board for many years, and was president in the tumultuous year of 1996. He is a life member of the Hawthorn Football Club.

John 'Bones' O'Mahony was coming to the end of a 10-year career. He entered 1959 as a 102-game veteran, but struggled to break into the Hawks' senior side until late in the season. He retired at the end of 1960, after 112 games, and is also a life member of Hawthorn.

Bill Shelton became Hawthorn's 5th Gardiner Medalist, taking out the award for the Best and Fairest player in the Reserves Competition. He was a centreman who'd been struggling to break into the senior side for a few seasons, playing 12 games in 3 seasons, 57-59. He left the club at the end of 1960 after failling to get a senior game that season.

1959 saw the arrival of back pocket Graham Cooper. After being promoted to the seniors in round 7 he didn't look back, holding his spot as a tall in the Hawk's defence and playing 90 games including 2 Grand Finals and the premiership of 1961.

Kevin Connell also made an appearance in 1959. A nippy rover with a knack for kicking goals, he would end up a hard-luck story, missing the 1961 Premiership with a knee injury. He played 55 games and kicked 64 goals, finishing up in 1964.

Half back flanker Cam McPherson also arrived at the club in 1959. He made the best players in round 16, was given a senior berth in round 18, and returned to the Reserves for the finals. He would go on to play 104 games including the 1961 Premiership and 1963 Grand Final.

 

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1960:

Res Hawks v		For		Ag	W / L	By
1 v  Ess	10.21	81	3.18	36	Won	45
2 v  Coll	18.14	122	17.9	111	Won	11
3 v  Foots	5.13	43	9.12	66	Lost	-23
4 v  Carl	6.13	49	7.10	52	Lost	-3
5 v  Melb	8.13	61	3.9	27	Won	34
6 v  Nth	10.15	75	8.9	57	Won	18
7 v  Geel	9.19	73	10.11	71	Won	2
8 v  Rich	15.12	102	4.9	33	Won	69
9 v  St K	11.10	76	7.14	56	Won	20
10 v  Sth	19.13	127	7.6	48	Won	79
11 v  Fitz	14.13	97	11.11	77	Won	20
12 v  Ess	4.11	35	5.9	39	Lost	-4
13 v  Coll	7.4	46	11.17	83	Lost	-37
14 v  Foots	13.18	96	12.8	80	Won	16
15 v  Carl	16.22	118	5.10	40	Won	78
16 v  Melb	10.12	72	7.11	53	Won	19
17 v  Nth	12.15	87	3.5	23	Won	64
18 v  Geel	10.11	71	8.12	60	Won	11
2SF v Geel	10.18	78	15.8	98	Lost	-20
PF v Foots	8.10	58	4.12	36	Won	22
GF v Geel	7.10	52	7.15	57	Lost	-5

The Hawks Reserves side of 1960 finished 2nd after the H/A season, along the way recording 14 wins and 4 losses. Geelong were the better team in the 2nd Semi Final, but the Hawk's chance of a hat-trick of flags was still alive when they won through to the Grand Final by defeating Footscray in the Prelim.

The Grand Final was a low-scoring affair, but Geelong held the lead throughout most of the game. In a dour last quarter, the Hawks crept within 5 points, and rover Geoff Wilson marked 40-yards out wide on the flank when the siren went. His kick went out of bounds.

Goalkickers:

Critchley, Ron		43
O'Mahony, John		24
*****, Bill		22
Hill, Malcolm		19
Wilson, Geoff		15
Joiner, Bill		11
Yeoman, Ray		9
Joyce, Alan		8
Sill, Robert		8
Fisher, John S.		7
Howells, Geoff		7
Mort, Ian		7
Hay, Phil		6
Browne, Morton A.	5	
Voigt, Noel		5
Burge, R		4
Cabble, Ron		4
Elward, John		3
Toy, Barry		3
Young, Maurice		3
Falconer, Brian		2
Connell, Kevin		1
McArthur, John H.	1	
Munari, N		1
Robertson, John		1
Shelton, Bill G.	1
Sullivan, Paul		1
Williams, K		1

Best Players:

Player			In best	Our BOG
Cabble, Ron		9	4	
McVilly, Ray		9	2	
Falconer, Brian		8	2	
Hill, Malcolm		8	2	
Critchley, Ron		7	1	
Elward, John		7	2	
*****, Bill		6	2	
Dineen, John		6		
O'Mahony, John		6		
Sill, Robert		6	1	
Fisher, John S.		5		
Joiner, Bill		5	1	
McArthur, John H.	5			
Burge, R		4		
Mort, Ian		4		
Shelton, Bill G.	4		
Thorpe, P		4		
Voigt, Noel		4		
Wilson, Geoff		4		
Randall, Trevor		3		
Yeoman, Ray		3	1	
Howells, Geoff		2		
Robertson, John		2		
Browne, Morton A.	1	1		
Hay, Phil		1	1	
Joyce, Allan		1		
Mildenhall, J		1		
Munari, N		1		
Nalder, Ron		1		
Simmonds, Roy		1		
Toy, Barry		1	1	
Young, Maurice		1

Ron Critchley won the Reserves League goalkicking with 43 majors. He was a smallish full-forward (183cm) who kicked goals consistently throughout the Ressies' season. He made his debut in the senior side, playing the last 3 games of the H/A season, but failed to score a goal. He returned to the Reserves for their finals series. Despite not playing senior footy again, he stuck with the Hawks Reserves for another 3 seasons, moving to defence in 1962.

Bill ***** was a zippy small who had a good season for the Reserves, kicking 22 goals. His BOG in round 11 earned him a solitary senior game in round 12.

A name most worthy of mention that started with the Reserves in 1960 is Allan Joyce. Debuting in 1961, Joycey struggled to maintain a senior spot, playing 49 games through to the end of his last season in 1965, a season in which he won the Most Improved Player Award. He would of course go on to be Hawthorn's Director of Football, and then (caretaker) Senior Coach in 1988, taking the Hawks to the Premiership. He returned to Football Director for two years before taking the helm again as Coach, piloting the Hawks to another Premiership in 1991. He is a Life Member of the Hawthorn Footy Club.

In Morton Browne's first season at Hawthorn, he cemented himself into the senior side from round 8 onwards, after a BOG performance for the Reserves in round 6. A strong half forward, Browne would play a major part in the Hawthorn flag in 1961, and go on to play 80 games and boot 107 goals.

Another premiership player to cement his senior spot in the 2nd half of the seasn was Ian Mort. A strong showing in the seconds in round 8 earned him a debut in round 9. He played 7 of the last 10 senior games, before returning to the Reserves for the finals, where he was named in the best players for the Prelim and Grand Final. He played 73 games to the end of 1964 (including the 1961 and 1963 Grand Finals), winning the Most Consistent Player Award in 1962.

Ron Cabble and Ray McVilly had both been at Hawthorn for several seasons, and they had outstanding seasons for the Reserves in 1960. Both were primarily small defenders, Cabble playing 35 senior games over six seasons and McVilly 16 over three seasons.

 

[mrcurly]

...keep at it Stemline, only another 50 years to go, you're in the home stretch!

 

[stemline]

Ha ha haha ... son of a bitch.

Nah just kidding. I'll keep plugging them up, as time permits. At least Thaihawk is enjoying them, hey Thaihawk...?

Thaihawk?

Helllooooooo???

 

[stemline]

1961:

Res Hawks v		For		Ag	W / L	By
1 v  Sth	14.12	96	10.16	76	Won	20
2 v  Melb	6.13	49	13.16	94	Lost	-45
3 v  Fitz	11.10	76	14.6	90	Lost	-14
4 v  Nth	9.9	63	9.12	66	Lost	-3
5 v  Ess	12.20	92	13.12	90	Won	2
6 v  St K	6.16	52	7.10	52	Drawn	0
7 v  Rich	12.13	85	11.6	72	Won	13
8 v  Foots	7.12	54	14.16	100	Lost	-46
9 v  Geel	7.8	50	11.6	72	Lost	-22
10 v  Carl	11.14	80	10.8	68	Won	12
11 v  Coll	11.12	78	6.15	51	Won	27
12 v  Sth	9.17	71	4.10	34	Won	37
13 v  Melb	4.4	28	6.12	48	Lost	-20
14 v  Fitz	14.12	96	6.15	51	Won	45
15 v  Nth	13.19	97	9.7	61	Won	36
16 v  Ess	8.22	70	6.7	43	Won	27
17 v  St K	10.16	76	9.8	62	Won	14
18 v  Rich	10.10	70	7.7	49	Won	21

The Hawks Reserves of 1961 just missed out on finals action, finishing 5th with 11 wins, 6 losses and a draw.

The draw with St Kilda basically cost them a spot in the finals - as the Saints finished 4th with the same points but superior percentage.

Goalkickers:

Critchley, Ron		29	
Cunningham, Jack J.	29		
Athorne, Wayne		17	
Parkin, David		12	
Yeoman, Ray		12	
Haslem, Graeme		10	
Harris, Duncan		9	
Cox, G			8
Connell, Kevin		6	
Joyce, Alan		6	
Simmonds, Roy		6	
Glenn, Geoff		4	
Prout, Joe		4	
Symonds, K		4	
Cabble, Ron		3	
Joiner, Bill		3	
Sill, Robert		3	
Abbott, Charlie		2	
McMahon, Max		2	
Young, Garry		2	
Jones, G		1	
Poole, Reg		1	
Youren, Colin		1

Best players:

Player			In best	Our BOG
Joyce, Allan		10	1	
Sill, Robert		10		
Cunningham, Jack J.	8	2		
Cabble, Ron		7	5	
Athorne, Wayne		6	1	
Harris, Duncan		6	3	
McMahon, Max		6	1	
Yeoman, Ray		6	1	
Critchley, Ron		5		
Jones, G		5		
Parkin, David		5		
Simmonds, Roy		5		
Cox, G			4	
Haslem, Graeme		4	1	
Randall, Trevor		4	1	
Watson, Norm		3	1	
Abbott, Charlie		2		
Joiner, Bill		2		
Poole, Reg		2		
Prout, Joe		2		
Youren, Colin		2		
Connell, Kevin		1		
Dineen, John		1		
Hill, Malcolm		1		
Nalder, Ron		1		
Symonds, K		1		
Thorpe, P		1		
Young, Garry		1	1

Jack Cunningham was a small rover who was deadly in front of goal and found good form early with a BOG in rounds 1 and 7 (kicking 6 goals on both occasions). He was given his senior debut in round 9, but dropped after that one game. He responded with great games in the next two reserves games and was recalled for a run of 5 matches (in which he booted 10 goals) and then dropped for round 17, on the eve of the finals. A strong game in round 18 in the Ressies and good form on the training track meant he was in consideration and when Kevin Connell was injured in the 2nd Semi, he was called up for the winning Grand Final of 1961. He would only play 10 more games over the next two seasons, and finish up on 17 games - currently the fewest career games for a Hawthorn Premiership player.

David Parkin played his first season at Hawthorn, and was named in the best players 5 times on his way to a senior debut in round 18. Although dropped for the 1961 finals, Parko would go on to play 211 games, captain the club to the 1971 Premiership. He won the Most Improved Award in 1963, and the Best and Fairest in 1965. He earned State Representation 5 times and played in the Hawthorn Night Premierships of 1968 and 1969. He won the Best Clubman Award in 1967, 1969, 1970 and 1972. He won the Best Team Player Award in 1970, 1971 and 1973, and also the Most Courageous Award in 1972. And of course he coached the club to the 1978 Flag, and is in the Hawthorn Hall Of Fame and a Life Member of the Hawks. Quite the Hawthorn man, Parko.

Roy Simmonds was another heartbeat of the Hawthorn Football Club. In his final of 12 seasons at the club Simmo, great friend of coach John Kennedy, struggled with injury as the club was finally on the verge of success. In his time at the Hawks, he'd won the Best First Year Player in 1950, the Most Unselfish Player Award in 1953, the Best Team Player in 1952, 1955 and 1956, and the Club Best and Fairest Award in 1956. Injury cruelled his 2nd half of the 1961 season but desperate to prove himself, he played well enough in the Reserves to be named in the best in round 15, 16 and 17. In the end it wasn't enough and the Ressies just missing the finals probably hurt his chances more than any other player as Kennedy had to make the hard call on his mate. Simmonds is a Life Member of Hawthorn and was named on the bench in the Team of the Century.

Bill Joiner was a gaint young ruckman who only played the 13 games over two season for Hawthorn. He was just the 2nd 200cm player to play for the Hawks after Len 'Tiny' Mills in 1930.

Along with Allan Joyce, Robert Sill was the dominant player for the Reserves. He won the Hawks Reserves Best and Fairest, but was still given the chop at the end of the year. He went to Rochester and won the 1962 Flag in the Bendigo Footy League.

Reg Poole's first season at Hawthorn got off to a slow start, but finished in a blaze of glory. Only sneaking into the best players in rounds 5 and 7, he made his senior debut in round 8 and played the rest of the season there, including the 1961 Premiership, and was awarded the Best First Year Player. He went on to play 62 games through to the end of 1968, winning the Most Consistent Award in 1966.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Enjoying your work, stemline, particularly now we're into the golden age of Hawthorn and we're going through players that made their way in the reserves before forging a spot in the senior side.

 

[stemline]

Cheers DF. I'm enjoying putting them together.

The early-mid 60s are a bit of a lean stretch for incoming stars - you can see why we fell away after 1963. Although sometimes the good players bypassed the ressies and went straight into the seniors, but it wasn't until the 2nd half of the 60s that most of the 1971 side was built. Stay tuned.

 

[stemline]

1962:

Res Hawks v		For		Ag	W / L	By
1 v  Foots	13.9	87	11.9	75	Won	12
2 v  Coll	5.12	42	7.11	53	Lost	-11
3 v  Geel	8.8	56	18.13	121	Lost	-65
4 v  Carl	9.11	65	11.18	84	Lost	-19
5 v  Rich	6.8	44	11.17	83	Lost	-39
6 v  Fitz	17.16	118	8.11	59	Won	59
7 v  St K	6.12	48	9.7	61	Lost	-13
8 v  Ess	11.11	77	8.11	59	Won	18
9 v  Nth	12.13	85	13.9	87	Lost	-2
10 v  Sth	14.15	99	12.17	89	Won	10
11 v  Melb	14.7	91	13.12	90	Won	1
12 v  Foots	7.16	58	7.9	51	Won	7
13 v  Coll	8.7	55	3.11	29	Won	26
14 v  Geel	5.14	44	9.21	75	Lost	-31
15 v  Carl	10.11	71	9.13	67	Won	4
16 v  Rich	12.18	90	11.9	75	Won	15
17 v  Fitz	13.28	106	6.3	39	Won	67
18 v  St K	8.4	52	11.6	72	Lost	-20

10 wins and 8 losses saw the Hawks Reserves finish 5th again, missing the finals by one win. Collingwood finished 4th with 10 wins and a draw.

Goalkickers:

Cunningham, Jack J.	34	
Haslem, Graeme		14
Hubbard, M		14
Jones, G		11
Olsson, Rodney		11
Joyce, Allan		10
Walker, J		10
Cutter, Peter		9
Winton, B		9
Cabble, Ron		8
Glenn, Geoff		8
Critchley, Ron		7
Kaine, Les		7
Hay, Phil		3
McArthur, Graeme	3	
Scott, G		3
Albiston, David		2
McMahon, Max		2
Piper, A		2
Woodward, Kevin		2
Bayles, M		1
Beck, Ken		1
Connell, Kevin		1
Glasscock, J		1
Harris, Duncan		1
Lourey, D		1
Parkin, David		1
Porter, Robert G.	1	
Welsh, K		1

Best:

Player			In best	Our BOG
Cunningham, Jack J.	9	5		
Haslem, Graeme		8		
McMahon, Max		8	1	
Cabble, Ron		7	1	
Critchley, Ron		6	1	
Albiston, David		5		
Beck, Ken		5	2	
Cutter, Peter		4		
Harris, Duncan		4		
Joyce, Alan		4	1	
Kaine, Les		4	1	
Olsson, Rodney		4		
Abbott, Charlie		3		
Hubbard, M		3		
Joiner, Bill		3	2	
Jones, G		3		
Watson, Norm		3	1	
Welsh, K		3		
Woodward, Kevin		3		
McArthur, John H.	2	1		
Tucker, W		2		
Winton, B		2		
Adams, B		1		
Athorne, Wayne		1		
Bayles, M		1		
Browne, N		1		
Connell, Kevin		1		
Cooper, Graham		1	1	
Dickson, Des		1		
Glenn, Geoff		1		
Lourey, D		1		
Parkin, David		1		
Porter, Robert G.	1			
Scott, G		1		
Walker, J		1	1

Jack Cunningham, although now a Premiership Hero, found himself in the Reserves for the majority of the season. He was the outstanding performer for the Hawks Reserves though, both in goalkicking and being named in the bests most often.

David Albiston - probably a relation, anyone? - started at Hawthorn in 1962. His good form in the 2nds in the first half of the season earned him a senior debut in round 13 and he played the remainder of the year in the ones. He played 61 games through to the end of 1966, including the 1963 Grand Final. He won the Most Improved Award in 1964.

Graeme Haslem was another small (168cm) rover who liked a goal. He was in his second season at the Hawks, but after 3 senior games in 1961, he could only manage another 3 this season, and 2 the next.

The arrival of 'Delicate' Des Dickson at Hawthorn in 1962 caused quite a stir. A crash-bash style follower, stories abound of his debut in the Reserves in round 1 at the Western Oval, inciting the crowd with his somewhat, er, 'physical' game style. However it must have escaped the attention of the umpires as he played the following week, was named in the best players and made his debut for Hawthorn the week after that. He played the rest of the season in the seniors, winning the Best First Year Player Award. He finished up playing 73 games for the Hawks (missing only 4 through suspension).

Rod Olsson was a ruck-rover type who found it tough to hold his place in the senior team in his first season. However his Reserves form was good enough to earn 6 games in the ones. He ended up playing 116 games, including the 1963 Grand Final. He won the Best Clubman Award in 1963 and played in the triumphant Night Premierships of 1968 and 1969, also winning the Most Consistent Player Awards in those seasons, and also the Best Team Player Award in 1969. He ended up coaching Geelong.

Ken Beck was a 198cm ruckman. He and David Parkin were the only players to play in both the 1963 and 1971 Grand Finals. His form early for the Ressies in 1962 was good, but a strong patch in the middle of the season, culminating in a BOG in round 11, earned him a senior debut in round 12. He went on to play 143 games, and was a member of the Night Premiership sides of 1968 and 1969, and is a Life Member of the Hawthorn Football Club.

 

[Thaihawk]

Ha ha haha ... son of a bitch.

Nah just kidding. I'll keep plugging them up, as time permits. At least Thaihawk is enjoying them, hey Thaihawk...?

Thaihawk?

Helllooooooo???

Dead set stem.

Many of the players recorded have visited our home in Hawthorn, mostly through the 50s.

My father was a friend of the great John Kennedy, who used drop in many times. Along with the late Roy Simmonds,who would entertain us all on the piano, and his banjo. A great character he was, alway happy and entertaining.

Also, I have the greatest respect John O'Mahoney, also a friend of my fathers, one of natures gentlemen.

There are some names I can't remember, but that's probably just the years catching up. One in particular is Bill Hay. Phil and Sted are imbedded in my memory, probably because of the 1961 flag, but I cannot remember Bill.

Keep up the good work stemline. Thanks for the memories.

 

[stemline]

That's terrific stuff. What a fantastic connection you have to Hawthorn mate.

I vaguely remember Bill Hay getting a mention as a relative of Phil and Sted in either the 1957 or the 1961 books by Peter Haby and Richard Allsop. Might be wrong, but I'll have a look at home tonight.

 

[stemline]

1963:

Res Hawks v		For		Ag	W / L	By
1 v  Ess	15.10	100	8.13	61	Won	39
2 v  Melb	13.9	87	5.13	43	Won	44
3 v  Coll	8.7	55	10.13	73	Lost	-18
4 v  Sth	10.15	75	10.11	71	Won	4
5 v  Foots	6.3	39	5.10	40	Lost	-1
6 v  Nth	11.11	77	9.15	69	Won	8
7 v  Geel	8.3	51	19.18	132	Lost	-81
8 v  St K	9.11	65	10.6	66	Lost	-1
9 v  Carl	5.11	41	8.10	58	Lost	-17
10 v  Rich	7.7	49	4.9	33	Won	16
11 v  Fitz	10.18	78	6.7	43	Won	35
12 v  Ess	8.12	60	13.20	98	Lost	-38
13 v  Melb	10.13	73	7.8	50	Won	23
14 v  Coll	7.12	54	11.7	73	Lost	-19
15 v  Sth	7.14	56	6.7	43	Won	13
16 v  Foots	13.18	96	12.6	78	Won	18
17 v  Nth	11.13	79	15.19	109	Lost	-30
18 v  Geel	8.15	63	5.14	44	Won	19

10 wins and 8 losses once again left the Hawks Reserves just short of finals action in 5th spot. Again it was Collingwood in fourth, this time on the same wins but with a superior percentage.

Goalkickers:

Cunningham, Jack J.	25	
Stratton, R		20
Corrigan, M		15
Garwood, Phil		14
Connell, Kevin		13
Joyce, Allan		13
Hubbard, M		10
McArthur, Graeme	9	
Cutter, P		7
Haslem, Graeme		7
Joiner, Bill		6
Piper, A		4
Woodward, Kevin		4
Hegarty, Danny		3
Watson, Norm		3
Abbott, Charlie		2
Growcott, Ross		2
Horkings, Ray		2
McArthur, John H.	2	
Sturdey, G		2
Aitken, Gary		1
Beck, Ken		1
Bennett, W		1

Best players:

Player			In best	Our BOG
Woodward, Kevin		9	1	
Abbott, Charlie		8	1	
Connell, Kevin		8	2	
Cunningham, Jack J.	7	2		
Joyce, Allan		7	2	
Watson, Norm		6	2	
Growcott, Ross		5		
Haslem, Graeme		5	1	
Aitken, Gary		4		
Beck, Ken		4	1	
Corrigan, M		4		
Joiner, Bill		4	2	
Lyon, Peter		4	2	
McArthur, John H.	4			
Garwood, Phil		3		
Hegarty, Danny		3		
Hubbard, M		3		
McArthur, Graeme	3			
Stratton, R		3		
Hay, Sted		2	1	
Young, Garry		2		
Alexander, D		1		
Bray, J			1	
Burgess, Greg		1		
Critchley, Ron		1		
Cutter, P		1		
McColl, N		1		
McMahon, Max		1		
Olsson, Rodney		1	1	
Poole, Reg		1		
Stedwell, P		1

Kevin Woodward was a wingman recruited from Mitcham who was in his second season at Hawthorn. After making his senior debut and playing the last two rounds of 1962, his dominant display in the Reserves throughout 1963 saw him earn 6 senior games. However the following year he managed just 2 more and that was all she wrote.

Half back flanker Ross Growcott showed enough in his first season at the club to earn senior games in rounds 9 and 18. In his second season, he played 15 senior games and somehow won the Best First Year Player Award. In the end he played 53 games over 8 seasons.

Peter Lyon's first season at Hawthorn saw him play the first six games in the seniors before being dropped. He responded with good form in the 2nds, with a BOG in round 9 and again in the best players in round 10. He was promoted for round 12, but dropped again for round 16 as the senior side headed to the top of the ladder. Another BOG in round 18 put him back in the selectors' minds and he was called up to replace Allan Joyce in the Prelim Final, and went on to play in the losing Grand Final. His second year was his last at Hawthorn as he struggled, managing only 3 senior games.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

That Peter Lyon - is he the grandfather of Garry Lyon? I vaguely recall reading somewhere that a grandfather of Garry played for the Hawks, which is why Garry was/is a big fan of the Hawks, when not playing for the Demons.

 

[stemline]

That Peter Lyon - is he the grandfather of Garry Lyon? I vaguely recall reading somewhere that a grandfather of Garry played for the Hawks, which is why Garry was/is a big fan of the Hawks, when not playing for the Demons.

Peter Lyon was born in 1941, Garry Lyon in 1967, so pretty damn unlikely to be his grandfather, possibly father though. There's been no other Lyon to play for the Hawks.

 

[stemline]

There are some names I can't remember, but that's probably just the years catching up. One in particular is Bill Hay. Phil and Sted are imbedded in my memory, probably because of the 1961 flag, but I cannot remember Bill.

Yep, according to the 1961 book by Richard Allsop and Peter Haby, Bill (or William) was the older brother of Sted and Phil. He played 4 games in 1958.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Peter Lyon was born in 1941, Garry Lyon in 1967, so pretty damn unlikely to be his grandfather, possibly father though. There's been no other Lyon to play for the Hawks.

Makes sense.

I could have sworn there was some family connection between Garry Lyon and Hawthorn.

 

[stemline]

1964:

Res Hawks v		For		Ag	W / L	By
1 v  Sth	15.17	107	14.9	93	Won	14
2 v  Carl	13.16	94	10.8	68	Won	26
3 v  St K	7.10	52	11.12	78	Lost	-26
4 v  Nth	8.17	65	9.12	66	Lost	-1
5 v  Fitz	13.12	90	5.12	42	Won	48
6 v  Melb	8.5	53	10.16	76	Lost	-23
7 v  Rich	10.12	72	10.11	71	Won	1
8 v  Ess	8.9	57	8.9	57	Drawn	0
9 v  Geel	6.13	49	8.14	62	Lost	-13
10 v  Coll	12.7	79	12.13	85	Lost	-6
11 v  Foots	6.15	51	6.6	42	Won	9
12 v  Sth	23.19	157	4.8	32	Won	125
13 v  Carl	11.10	76	4.8	32	Won	44
14 v  St K	10.14	74	6.5	41	Won	33
15 v  Nth	9.16	70	3.7	25	Won	45
16 v  Fitz	8.24	72	7.9	51	Won	21
17 v  Melb	9.11	65	10.8	68	Lost	-3
18 v  Rich	10.4	64	11.11	77	Lost	-13

The age of the Top 5 was still another 8 years away, so it was rather frustrating that the Hawks Reserves, once again, finished 5th - for the fourth time in a row. 10 wins, 7 losses and 1 costly draw - if the draw had been a win the Hawks would have finished 3rd.

A positive for the season was the setting of a new high score and greatest winning margin in round 12, the 125-point win the Hawks Reserves side's first by 100 points or more.

Goalkickers:

Horskins, Bryan		40	
Ferguson, Neil		17	
Dunshea, John		15	
Cunningham, Jack J.	13		
Joyce, Allan		12	
Smith, Wes		10	
Connell, Kevin		9	
Mort, Ian		9	
McArthur, John		8	
Cummings, Percy		7	
Bray, J			5
Browne, Morton A.	5		
McArthur, Graeme	5		
Piper, A		4	
Butcher, Mike		3	
Garwood, Phil		3	
Haydon, J		3	
Stedwell, P		3	
Fellows, C		2	
Gordes, Norm		2	
Lyon, Peter		2	
Stafford, Geoff		2	
Fellows, D		1	
Growcott, Ross		1	
Hay, Sted		1	
Mullin, D		1
Stratton, R		1	
Sturdey, G		1	
Wright, R		1

Best players:

Player			In best	Our BOG
Watson, Norm		9	4	
Dunshea, John		7	1	
Hay, Sted		7		
Poole, Reg		7		
Horskins, Bryan		6	1	
Ferguson, Neil		5		
Lyon, Peter		5	1	
McArthur, Graeme	5			
Mort, Ian		5	2	
Vagg, Robert		5	2	
Bray, J			4	
Browne, Morton A.	4	1		
Cunningham, Jack J.	4	2		
Dickson, Des		4		
Joyce, Allan		4	2	
McArthur, John		4	1	
Butcher, Mike		3		
Fisher, John S.		3	1	
Smith, Wes		3		
Stephens, D		3		
Connell, Kevin		2		
Cummings, Percy		2		
Garwood, Phil		2		
McColl, N		2		
Growcott,  Ross		1		
Mullin, D		1	
Stafford, Geoff		1		
Vagg, Bob		1

1964 saw the Hawks enter something of a rebuilding phase which saw a lot of Premiership Heroes spend time in the Reserves as their careers wound down - players such as Ian Mort, John McCarthur, Mort Browne, Sted Hay, Reg Poole and John Fisher.

Bryan Horskins was a rover from Camberwell who was dangerous in front of goal. His first season was spent in the Reserves, where he booted 40 goals, including a bag of 7 in round 12 when the side set a new high score. His form wasn't rewarded until the following season, when he played 8 senior games, but despite playing on in 1966, he wouldn't add to that tally.

John Dunshea was a tall who began as a forward but finished up playing at full back. He debuted for the seniors in round 5 but was dropped immediately after. A BOG for the Ressies in round 7 saw him elevated again, but after two games he was back in the 2nds. It wasn't until the following season that he got another chance and grabbed it, playing 12 games (and slotting 12 goals). A poor 1966 season saw him manage just 3 senior games, before a switch to defence in 1967 resulted in 15 senior games that season. He began the following year in the Reserves but didn't play at Hawthorn again after that, finishing up with a tally of 33 games and 17 goals.

Norm Watson was in his last of 3 seasons at Hawthorn. Also a full back, he had played 8 games in 1962, and just one in 1963. His 1964 Reserves season was his best, being named in the best players 9 times and 4 times as Hawthorn's BOG. However the selectors weren't impressed and he added just the one more game to his total.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Worked it out - Garry Lyon is the son of Peter Lyon who features on Stemline's season records over the past couple of years. That will explain Garry's fondness for Hawthorn.

 

[stemline]

1965:

Res Hawks v		For		Ag	W / L	By
1 v  Carl	13.12	90	9.22	76	Won	14
2 v  Ess	11.11	77	15.13	103	Lost	-26
3 v  Coll	10.12	72	15.19	109	Lost	-37
4 v  Fitz	9.18	72	7.7	49	Won	23
5 v  Rich	13.12	90	9.11	65	Won	25
6 v  Foots	6.10	46	9.11	65	Lost	-19
7 v  Geel	9.14	68	8.21	69	Lost	-1
8 v  Sth	11.15	81	11.19	85	Lost	-4
9 v  Nth	7.17	59	6.19	55	Won	4
10 v  St K	9.9	63	15.17	107	Lost	-44
11 v  Melb	15.7	97	11.15	81	Won	16
12 v  Carl	12.13	85	8.10	58	Won	27
13 v  Ess	3.7	25	9.13	67	Lost	-42
14 v  Coll	9.13	67	12.14	86	Lost	-19
15 v  Fitz	13.13	91	6.7	43	Won	48
16 v  Rich	10.7	67	15.13	103	Lost	-36
17 v  Foots	7.11	53	5.15	45	Won	8
18 v  Geel	13.13	91	10.12	72	Won	19

9 wins, 9 losses and a finish of 6th, with a sub-100 percentage for the first time in 9 seasons.

Goalkickers:

Keddie, Bob		29	
O'Shea, Peter		18	
Gay, Terry		16	
Horskins, Bryan		11	
Dunshea, John		9	
Smith, Wes		9	
Taylor, Noel		9	
Cummings, Percy		8	
Mares, Daryl		7	
Willis, Robert		7	
Horkings, Ray		6	
Browne, Morton A.	5		
Demaine, Mike		5	
Slimmon, D		5	
Garwood, Phil		4	
Kiker, P		4	
Burgess, Greg		3	
Gordes, Norm		3	
Robson, Rodney		3	
Albiston, David		2	
Corr, I			2
Fisher, John S.		2	
Parish, J		2	
Price, John		2	
Robertson, A		2	
Sanderson, G		2	
Albiston, R		1	
Alexander, D		1	
Coverdale, Kevin	1	
Dickson, Des		1	
Ferguson, Neil		1

Best players:

Player			In best	Our BOG
O'Shea, Peter		6		
Vagg, Robert		6	1	
Garwood, Phil		5		
Horkings, Ray		5	1	
Keddie, Bob		5	1	
Robson, Rodney		5		
Albiston, David		4		
Browne, Morton A.	4			
Burgess, Greg		4	1	
Horskins, Bryan		4		
Poole, Reg		4		
Wynd, Phil		4	2	
Butcher, Mike		3		
Demaine, Mike		3		
Dunshea, John		3		
Fisher, John S.		3	1	
Gay, Terry		3	2	
Gordes, Norm		3		
Growcott, Ross		3	1	
Mares, Daryl		3		
McPherson, Cam		3	1	
Taylor, Noel		3	1	
Albiston, R		2		
Carroll, Bob		2		
Ferguson, Neil		2	1	
Nalder, Ron		2		
Sanderson, G		2	1	
Alexander, D		1		
Beck, Ken		1		
Corr, I			1	
Coverdale, Kevin	1	1	
Cummings, Percy		1		
Dickson, Des		1		
Joyce, Alan		1	1	
Parish, J		1	1
Slimmon, D		1	1	
Smith, Wes		1		
Stafford, Geoff		1		
Willis, Robert		1

In 1965 Bob Keddie started at Hawthorn. Despite only scraping into the best players once in the first three Reserves matches, he debuted for Hawthorn in round 4. He was dropped the following week but responded with 5 goals for the Ressies, and played the next 5 games in the seniors. It took him until 1967 to become a permanent fixture in the ones, and he duly won the Hawks Best and Fairest Award and the Most Consistent Award. He won the Best and Fairest again in 1969, and played in the 1968 and 1969 Night Premiership sides. Of course he also played a famous role in the 1971 Grand Final win, kicking 4 goals in the last quarter comeback. He finished up in 1972, having played 132 games and booting 195 goals.

Terry Gay was a versatile tall who played both forward and back and sometimes on the wing. In his first season at the club he showed some good form but didn't debut until the following season. He played 65 games for the Hawks and retired at the end of 1970. He later became well known as the Hawthorn club doctor for many years and is a Life Member of the Hawthorn Footy Club.

Bob Vagg was in his second season at Hawthorn. He'd played 3 senior games in 1964 but spent all of this season in the seconds. He was a sturdy half-back flanker, whose brother Barrie was a more famous player for Melbourne.

Peter O'Shea was a little rover from Carisbrook. Named in the best players in the first three rounds, he was promoted for his senior debut in round 4. He played 3 games before being dropped, but his Reserves form was too good and he was elevated again, playing a further 6 games. However, although he was at the club the following season, he didn't add to his senior games tally.

 

[stemline]

1966:

Res Hawks v		For		Ag	W / L	By
1 v  Coll	6.6	42	22.13	145	Lost	-103
2 v  Melb	2.24	36	14.11	95	Lost	-59
3 v  Sth	13.3	81	15.11	101	Lost	-20
4 v  Nth	3.6	24	8.9	57	Lost	-33
5 v  Foots	8.8	56	8.15	63	Lost	-7
6 v  Ess	11.17	83	14.12	96	Lost	-13
7 v  St K	8.10	58	9.12	66	Lost	-8
8 v  Fitz	15.19	109	8.9	57	Won	52
9 v  Carl	10.22	82	10.11	71	Won	11
10 v  Geel	7.13	55	12.14	86	Lost	-31
11 v  Rich	7.9	51	9.10	64	Lost	-13
12 v  Coll	9.12	66	14.19	103	Lost	-37
13 v  Melb	6.14	50	10.12	72	Lost	-22
14 v  Sth	11.5	71	14.16	100	Lost	-29
15 v  Nth	9.9	63	12.11	83	Lost	-20
16 v  Foots	13.9	87	6.9	45	Won	42
17 v  Ess	13.11	89	9.8	62	Won	27
18 v  St K	6.6	42	12.25	97	Lost	-55

4 wins and 14 losses as the Hawks Reserves plummeted down the ladder to 10th. That round 2 game could be some kind of record margin for a game where the loser has more scoring shots. And the next week they kick 13.3 !!

Goalkickers:

Lester, Gary		20	
Keddie, Bob		14	
Smith, Wes		14	
Reid, Bruce		11	
Horkings, Ray		9	
Browne, Richard V.	8		
Horskins, Bryan		8	
Ferguson, Neil		7	
Meagher, Des		6	
Stafford, Geoff		6	
Law, Ian		5	
Dunshea, John		4	
French, D		4	
Mitchell, B		4	
Robertson, A		4	
Albiston, David		3	
Grange, J		3	
Irvine, W		3	
Mares, Daryl		3	
Milson, P		3	
Nalder, Ron		3	
Willis, Robert		3	
Gordes, Norm		2	
Price, John		2	
Beck, Ken		1	
Browne, Morton A.	1		
Farrell, N		1	
Hill, R			1
McDonald, R		1	
Porter, Michael		1	
Scott, Don W.		1	
Tolson, Paul		1

Best players:

Player			In best	Our BOG
Robson, Rodney		8	1	
Dunshea, John		7		
Law, Ian		6	2	
Stafford, Geoff		6	1	
French, D		5	1	
Gordes, Norm		5		
Smith, Wes		5	1	
Keddie, Bob		4		
Lester, Gary		4		
Burgess, Greg		3		
Ferguson, Neil		3		
Horkings, Ray		3		
Irvine, W		3		
Johnson, Ted		3	1	
Nalder, Ron		3	1	
Reid, Bruce		3	1	
Willis, Robert		3		
Wynd, Phil		3	2	
Beck, Ken		2		
Browne, Richard V.	2			
Gay, Terry		2	1	
Horskins, Bryan		2		
Hume, A			2	
Mares, Daryl		2	1	
McPherson, Cam		2	1	
Porter, Michael		2		
Price, John		2	1	
Tickell, John		2		
Albiston, David		1	1	
Bray, J			1	
Browne, Morton A.	1	1		
Grange, J		1		
Growcott, Ross		1	1	
Hay, Phil		1		
McDonald, R		1		
McVeigh, W		1		
Meagher, Des		1		
Milson, P		1		
O'Shea, Peter		1		
Poole, Reg		1		
Robertson, A		1

Rodney Robson had two years at Hawthorn. He was a CHB and his good form menat he was brought in to bolster the senior Hawks' defence in round 13. He was dropped again for round 15, but responded with a BOG for the Ressies, and played the next two for Hawthorn. He would only add one more game the following season to his senior tally.

Gary Lester was a forward pocket who had an industrious season for the Reserves in 1966. He would wait until 1967 round 6 to debut and play 10 games that year, but no more at Hawthorn.

Michael Porter and Des Meagher both arrived at the club in 1966, both making their senior debut in round 1 (in fact 6 players in total debuted for Hawthorn in round 1, and 4 of them became Premiership players). Porter was a forward who was dropped for only 2 games in his first season, and was named in the Reserve's best players both times. He went on to play 78 senior games, kicking 59 goals and playing in the '71 Premiership side. Des Meagher was a tall wingman who could also be used as a tall in defence or attack. He also only missed two senior games in 1966, and went on to play 198 games, kick 96 goals, be a member of the Night Premiership sides of 1968 and 1969, and win the Most Consistent Player Award in 1972 and 1973. He was a member of the 1971 Premiership side and played in the 1975 Grand Final. He was unfortunately injured in the 1976 2nd Semi and missed the Premiership of that year, and retired. He returned to coach the Reserves in the 1980s. He is a Life Member of the Hawthorn Football Club.

Widely acknowledged as arriving at Hawthorn in 1967, Don Scott actually played a small number of Reserves games early in 1966 as a 19-year old. He didn't make much of an impact in those games (just the one goal), but by career's end he would leave an imprint like few others on the Hawthorn Football Club. Scotty was a lion-hearted ruckman who left nothing behind every time he put on the jumper. He debuted early in 1967 (winning the Most Improved Player Award) and played for 15 seasons, the first Hawk to 300 games. He won the Best and Fairest Award in 1973, he played in four Grand Finals, winning flags in 1971, 1976 and 1978 - the last two as captain. He was the first triple Premiership player for Hawthorn, and captained the club from 1976 to 1980. He also played in the Night Premierhsip sides of 1968, 1969 and 1977. Four times he was named the Best Team Player, 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1980. He is a Hall of Fame Member and a Life Member of the Hawthorn Footy Club, and was named as the ruckman in the Hawthorn Team of the Century (and also the Ultimate Hawthorn Premiership Team). And to top it all off he saved us from becoming a velcro Hawk on a Melbourne jumper. What a bloody legend.

 

[mrcurly]

1966:
Des Meagher was a tall wingman who could also be used as a tall in defence or attack. He also only missed two senior games in 1966, and went on to play 198 games, kick 96 goals, be a member of the Night Premiership sides of 1968 and 1969, and win the Most Consistent Player Award in 1972 and 1973. He was a member of the 1971 Premiership side and played in the 1975 Grand Final. He was unfortunately imjured in the 1976 2nd Semi and missed the Premiership of that year, and retired. He returned to coach the Reserves in the 1980s. He is a Life Member of the Hawthorn Football Club.

Des was the fastest player from hand to boot that i have ever seen, kicking the amazing 'no mans land' goal in the first moments of the 75(?) grand final. Also brought some innovative ball movement to the reserves as coach, helping to bring about the continual possession handball at all costs style - sadly passed away in March 2011.

 

[stemline]

1967:

Res Hawks v		For		Ag	W / L	By
1 v  Sth	18.10	118	15.14	104	Won	14
2 v  Carl	12.10	82	6.11	47	Won	35
3 v  Geel	7.7	49	11.8	74	Lost	-25
4 v  St K	14.13	97	13.10	88	Won	9
5 v  Rich	13.16	94	15.9	99	Lost	-5
6 v  Nth	9.14	68	11.13	79	Lost	-11
7 v  Fitz	17.13	115	9.17	71	Won	44
8 v  Melb	9.12	66	10.6	66	Drawn	0
9 v  Ess	12.13	85	13.14	92	Lost	-7
10 v  Coll	12.2	74	16.15	111	Lost	-37
11 v  Foots	9.8	62	13.9	87	Lost	-25
12 v  Sth	10.12	72	7.9	51	Won	21
13 v  Carl	8.9	57	11.15	81	Lost	-24
14 v  Geel	14.11	95	12.11	83	Won	12
15 v  St K	8.11	59	16.21	117	Lost	-58
16 v  Rich	3.14	32	10.21	81	Lost	-49
17 v  Nth	7.12	54	10.20	80	Lost	-26
18 v  Fitz	9.17	71	9.8	62	Won	9

7 wins, 10 losses, 1 draw and 7th place on the ladder.

Goalkickers:

Reid, Bruce			26	
Morton, Lance			23	
Forsyth, R			17	
Lester, Gary			15	
Caffyn, J			14	
Horkings, Ray			11	
Lade, Phil			7	
Chapman, G			6	
Robertson, ?			6	
Scott, Don W.			6	
Stafford, Geoff			6	
Blood, Michael			4	
Bremner, Ian			4	
Crowe, Vin			4	
Jenkins, Dennis			4	
Mares, Daryl			4	
Browne, Richard V.		3		
Growcott, Ross			3	
Smith, Wes			3	
Tickell, John			3	
Angus, Geoff			2	
Chilton, Peter			2	
Crane, R			2	
Devenish-Meares, Rochford	2			
Chiron, Gene			1	
Crimmins, Peter			1	
Ferguson, Neil			1	
Gay, Terry			1	
Howe, M				1
Johnson, Ted			1	
Johnston, G			1	
Porter, Michael			1	
Robson, Rodney			1	
Simpson, R			1	
Smith, Jim			1	
Smith, Norman			1	
Wilson, Ray			1	
Wynd, Phil			1

Best Players:

Player			In best	Our BOG
Reid, Bruce		11	4	
Lade, Phil		7	5	
Blood, Michael		6		
Bremner, Ian		6		
Crowe, Vin		6	2	
Angus, Geoff		5		
Horkings, Ray		5		
Stafford, Geoff		5		
Law, Ian		4		
Robson, Rodney		4	1	
Smith, Wes		4		
Caffyn, J		3		
Ferguson, Neil		3		
Forsyth, R		3		
Tickell, John		3	1	
Beck, Ken		2		
Chilton, Peter		2		
Chiron, Gene		2		
Leng, David		2		
Lester, Gary		2	2	
Mares, Daryl		2	1	
Morton, Lance		2		
Scott, Don W.		2		
Wynd, Phil		2		
Browne, Richard V.	1			
Chapman, G		1		
Crane, R		1		
Crimmins, Peter		1		
Cummins, P		1		
Gardner, John		1		
Gay, Terry		1	1	
Gordes, Norm		1		
Growcott, Ross		1		
Jenkins, Dennis		1	1	
Johnston, G		1		
Mitchell, I		1		
Poole, Reg		1		
Porter, Michael		1		
Robertson, ?		1		
Simpson, R		1		
Wilson, Ray		1

Peter Crimmins - nice that he turns up above, so I get to give him a mention. He'd played nearly all the senior games in his first season, 1966, but was injured at the start of 1967, returning via the Reserves in round 4. He got in the best players and kicked a goal, and returned to the senior side the following week. Crimmo would of course go on to play 176 games and kick 231 goals for Hawthorn, play in the 1971 Premiership side, the Night Premierships of 1968 and 1969, and win the Best Team Player Award in 1972 and 1974 and the Most Courageous Player Award in 1973. He was captain of the club in 1974 and 1975, is on the Hawthorn Hall of Fame and a Life Member of the Football Club. 'The Little Fella' was an inspiration to everyone in football and the Hawthorn Football Club was exceptionally fortunate to have the spirit of Kennedy and Crimmins entrenched deep within its psyche, enabling the years ahead to produce more and more success.

Bruce Reid had a sensational season for the Ressies in 1967. Hawthorn's BOG 4 times, and named in the best players 11 times, he came 3rd in the Gardiner Medal. A rover, he had played a couple of games in 1966, but his great form was rewarded with just the one game in 1967. He left the club and played in Preston's Premierships in 1968 and 1969, coming 2nd in the Liston Medal count. He has been Essendon's club doctor since 1982.

Tasmanian Phil Lade was a half back who had played 14 games in his first year, 1966, but fell out of favour in 1967 playing just the one senior game despite being named Hawthorn's best player in the Reserves no fewer than 5 times. Not surprisingly it was his last year at the club.

Ian Bremner was a tough-as-nails half back who had played one game with Collingwood in 1966 before seeing the light and shifting to the Hawks. It took him most of his first season to cement his place in the seniors; he was in and out of the side for much of the year. He ended up playing 10 seasons at Hawthorn, 158 senior games. He was the club's first 3-time Night Premiership Player, played in the day Grand Finals, including the Premierships of 1971 and 1976 (his last game). He won the Best Clubman Award in 1975 and the Most Courageous Player Award in 1976, and is a Life Member of Hawthorn.

Ray Wilson had joined the club in 1966, playing every game and playing them so well he not only won the Best First Year Player Award, he won the Club Best and Fairest as well. In 1967, he was dropped twice, for rounds 4 and 6, but played well enough to reclaim his place immediately each time, not missing any other games. He became a permanent fixture in the centre, also playing in the Night Premiership sides of 1968 and 1969. He held his spot until the Premiership year of 1971, unable to get back into the senior side until round 16, but doing enough to be selected for the finals series and help claim a Premiership for Hawthorn. He managed 9 games the following season before giving it away.

 

[stemline]

1968:

Res Hawks v		For		Ag	Won/Lost	By
1 v  Ess	10.9	69	18.18	126	Lost	-57
2 v  Sth	11.14	80	9.16	70	Won	10
3 v  Foots	4.13	37	8.13	61	Lost	-24
4 v  Carl	15.7	97	20.12	132	Lost	-35
5 v  Coll	10.9	69	20.17	137	Lost	-68
6 v  Geel	11.15	81	14.15	99	Lost	-18
7 v  Melb	14.17	101	13.5	83	Won	18
8 v  Rich	7.8	50	23.20	158	Lost	-108
9 v  Fitz	15.13	103	11.14	80	Won	23
10 v  Nth	13.18	96	12.10	82	Won	14
11 v  St K	11.16	82	10.20	80	Won	2
12 v  Ess	11.13	79	9.10	64	Won	15
13 v  Sth	13.15	93	6.11	47	Won	46
14 v  Foots	12.9	81	6.15	51	Won	30
15 v  Carl	2.15	27	6.8	44	Lost	-17
16 v  Coll	10.11	71	8.16	64	Won	7
17 v  Geel	9.9	63	8.5	53	Won	10
18 v  Melb	9.7	61	8.13	61	Drawn	0
19 v  Rich	13.13	91	12.13	85	Won	6
20 v  Fitz	13.9	87	18.18	126	Lost	-39
1SF v Coll	7.12	54	8.17	65	Lost	-11

In a fairly even season, 11 wins and a draw was enough to finish 4th at the end of a H/A season that had been extended to 20 games. The Ressies had a crack but fell to Collingwood in the 1st Semi Final, thus ending the year in 4th place.

Goalkickers:

Smith, Geoff		27	
Tolson, Paul		19	
Lester, Gary		17	
Porter, Michael		15	
Morton, Lance		14	
Ryan, Peter		13	
Horkings, Ray		11	
Ferguson, Neil		10	
Law, Ian		8	
Crowe, Vin		7	
Murphy, Glenn		7	
Poole, Reg		7	
Djordevic, Joe		6	
Forsyth, R		6	
Stevenson, Bruce	6		
Angus, Geoff		5	
Edwards, Brendan	4		
Jenkins, Dennis		4	
Appleby, R		3	
Batten, D		3	
Chiron, Gene		3	
Fisher, John A.		3	
Francis, Michael	3		
Jeffries, R		3	
Gardner, John		2	
McPherson, C		2	
Moulden, A		2	
Smith, Jim		2	
Chessell, K		1	
Gay, Terry		1	
Gordes, Norm		1	
Growcott, Ross		1	
Orme, R			1
Sharpe, M		1	
Watson, Ian		1	
Wilson, Ray		1

Best Players:

Player				In best	Our BOG
Poole, Reg			10	3	
Crowe, Vin			9	3	
Porter, Michael			9		
Smith, Geoff			9	1	
Law, Ian			6	1	
Tolson, Paul			6	3	
Crane, R			5		
Pleitner, Bryan			5	1	
Francis, Michael		4			
Gardner, John			4	1	
Horkings, Ray			4	1	
Morton, Lance			4	1	
Ryan, Peter			4		
Chiron, Gene			3		
Djordevic, Joe			3		
Gordes, Norm			3		
Lester, Gary			3		
Angus, Geoff			2		
Chessell, K			2	1	
Dunshea, John			2	1	
Ferguson, Neil			2		
Fisher, John A.			2	1	
Forsyth, R			2		
Growcott, Ross			2	1	
Moulden, A			2		
Wilson, Ray			2		
Appleby, R			1		
Chilton, Peter			1		
Devenish-Meares, Rochford	1	1			
Edwards, Brendan		1			
Hawken, Les			1		
Jeffries, R			1		
Jenkins, Dennis			1		
Murphy, Glenn			1	1	
Orme, R				1	
Stevenson, Bruce		1			
Watson, Ian			1

Small rovers winning the Reserve's goalkicking was a pretty regular occurance, and 1968 was no exception. Geoff Smith was a South Australian who had a very solid year in the Ressies. He wouldn't debut until round 1 the following year, however he did play in the Night Premiership side in 1968. He took out the Most Improved Player Award in 1970, and the Best Clubman Award in 1971. He played 38 senior games, and kicked 24 goals.

Ian Law and Reg Poole were in the final years of their senior careers, backman Poole having an outstanding season in the Reserves. Ian Law was a champion rover and both were Premiership Players, with Law winning the Best and Fairest Award in the Premiership year of 1961. He went on to win the B&F again in 1963 and 1964. Law stuck around the club and played the seond half of the 1969 season with the Ressies.

In 1968, John Kennedy talked Brendan Edwards into joining the club to organise the circuit training that woud spur the name Kennedy's Commandos. In a one-off, Edwards fronted up for the round 14 Reserves match against Footscray and showed he still had it, kicking 4 goals and being named Hawthorn's 2nd best player on the day.

Vin Crowe was a centreman who'd joined the Hawks from Richmond in 1967. In the second of his two seasons at the Hawks, he showed good form in the Reserves but couldn't translate it to the seniors, adding only 4 senior games to his 10 from the previous year.

Bruce Stevenson joined the club in 1968. A ruck-rover type, he took until round 3 of the following season to make his debut, but ended up playing 72 games, including the 1971 Premiership. He won the Best Clubman Award in 1973 and retired after the 1974 Prelim Final.

Les Hawken was a tall back pocket player, who had to wait until early in 1970 to make his senior debut. Once there he pretty much instantly became a permanent fixture, playing in the 1971 Premiership side and playing nearly every game from 1970 and 1972. Perhaps due to injury (?) he didn't play at all in 1973 and only managed 4 senior games in 1974 (for a total of 65) before moving to Tassie and playing there.

 

[stemline]

1969:

Res Hawks v		For		Ag	W / L	By
1 v  Coll	14.6	90	14.20	104	Lost	-14
2 v  Carl	11.17	83	16.13	109	Lost	-26
3 v  Ess	16.10	106	14.16	100	Won	6
4 v  Foots	13.14	92	12.11	83	Won	9
5 v  Melb	14.10	94	17.12	114	Lost	-20
6 v  Nth	16.16	112	8.22	70	Won	42
7 v  Rich	12.8	80	15.12	102	Lost	-22
8 v  Geel	20.14	134	11.12	78	Won	56
9 v  St K	13.8	86	10.10	70	Won	16
10 v  Fitz	9.6	60	17.16	118	Lost	-58
11 v  Syd	25.21	171	10.9	69	Won	102
12 v  Coll	9.7	61	8.12	60	Won	1
13 v  Carl	6.10	46	11.18	84	Lost	-38
14 v  Ess	12.10	82	12.10	82	Drawn	0
15 v  Foots	11.9	75	17.20	122	Lost	-47
16 v  Melb	8.10	58	8.12	60	Lost	-2
17 v  Nth	17.26	128	16.15	111	Won	17
18 v  Rich	8.9	57	19.18	132	Lost	-75
19 v  Geel	12.12	84	16.14	110	Lost	-26
20 v  St K	12.16	88	12.13	85	Won	3

With 9 wins, 10 losses and a draw, the Hawks Ressies of 1969 finished in 8th place on the ladder. Along the way a new Highest Score was set, 25.21 171 in round 11 against the Swans.

Goalkickers:

Tolson, Paul		34	
Knights, Peter		32	
Moore, Kelvin		21	
Matthews, Leigh		19	
Smith, Geoff		18	
Morton, Lance		15	
Porter, Michael		14	
Boyanich, Ray		10	
Richardson, G		10	
Tulloch, J		10	
Angus, Geoff		9	
Bye, J			7
Douge, Brian		7	
Law, Ian		7	
Stevenson, Bruce	7		
Renwick, W		5	
Fisher, John A.		4	
Chiron, Gene		3	
Francis, Michael	3		
Lester, Gary		3	
Tipping, Lindsay	3		
Bremner, Ian		2	
Crane, R		2	
Ferguson, Neil		2	
Hawken, Les		2	
Rosenbrock, Anthony	2		
Chessell, K		1	
Chilton, Peter		1	
Clarke, B		1	
Djordevic, J		1	
Humphrey, L		1	
Murphy, Glenn		1	
Rice, Leon		1

Best players:

Player			In best	Our BOG
Smith, Geoff		9		
Douge, Brian		8	3	
Knights, Peter		8		
Porter, Michael		8	3	
Angus, Geoff		6	2	
Francis, Michael	6			
Hawken, Les		6		
Matthews, Leigh		6	1	
Moore, Kelvin		6	1	
Tolson, Paul		6	2	
Blood, Michael		4	1	
Boyanich, Ray		4		
Browne, Richard		4	1	
Morton, Lance		4		
Chiron, Gene		3	1	
Crane, R		3		
Fisher, John A.		3	1	
Growcott, Ross		3	1	
Law, Ian		3	1	
Rosenbrock, Anthony	3			
Bremner, Ian		2		
Chilton, Peter		2		
Gay, Terry		2		
Murphy, Glenn		2	1	
Rice, Leon		2		
Richardson, G		2		
Tipping, Lindsay	2			
Bye, J			1	
Djordevic, J		1		
Ferguson, Neil		1		
Hook, J			1	
Lester, Gary		1		
Renwick, W		1	1

A quick glance at the top-end of the goalkickers list reveals some fairly spectacular talent joining the ranks at Hawthorn in 1969. Paul Tolson probably wasn't one of them but he was a half-forward flanker who had played 4 games in his first year in 1968, and began 1969 in the Reserves kicking 6 goals in round 1. He did that again in round 11 but could only add 5 senior games to his tally and left the club at the end of the season.

Brian Douge was in and out of the senior side until 1973, when he finally had a breakthrough year, winning the Most Improved Award. A tough back pocket, he won the Best Clubman award in 1974 and played in the 1976 Premiership, retiring on a high after that match with 91 games to his name.

Leon Rice began his Hawthorn career in 1969, playing a handful of Reserves games in the second half of the season (presumably after playing the first half for his school or in the U19s - he only turned 18 in August). He debuted in round 13 of 1970, playing 5 games that year before winning the Most Improved Player Award in 1971 after a great finish to the season, playing in the Premiership that year. He won the Most Courageous Player Award in 1973 and 1974, played in the Premiership of 1976, and also the Night Premiership side of 1977. He finished up in 1979, having played 133 games, and is a Life Member of the Hawthorn Football Club.

Kelvin Moore came to Hawthorn as a full-forward, and his first season in the Reserves saw him play up forward, kicking 21 goals for the season including a bag of 5 in round 3. Moore of course went on to become a brilliant full-back, named in that position in Hawthorn's Team of the Century after 300 games in the position. Perhaps the switch to defence was neccessary due to a certain Peter Hudson owning the forward post, but whatever the reason it was a success. After playing 1969 and most of 1970 in the Reserves (debuting in round 21, 1970), he played in 3 Premerships (1971, 1976 and 1978) and won the Best and Fairest Award in 1979. He earned State representation 13 times, being named All-Australian twice. He played in the Night Premierships of 1976 and 1977, and won the Most Serviceable Player Award in 1972 and 1973, the Most Consistent Player Award in 1975, the Most Courageous Player Award in 1976 and 1978, and the Best Clubman Award in 1980. He is a Hawthorn Hall of Fame Member and a Life Member of Hawthorn.

I feel a tad out of my depth trying to describe how good these blokes were, so I'll stick with the raw numbers for the most part. Peter Knights also began his Hawthorn career as a forward, booting 32 goals for the Ressies in 1969. Consistenty in the best players through the first half of the season, he was given a senior debut in round 9 and was given 5 non-consecutive matches through the remainder of the season. From 1970 onwards he was a permanent fixture in the senior side, ending up a super-star at CHB, with another switch to the forward line late in his career. What didn't he win? He was a 3-time Premiership Player (tragically missing the 1971 Flag through injury), playing 264 games and booting 201 goals. He won the Best and Fairest Award in 1975 and 1978. He won the club goalkicking in 1972 (with 46 goals, replacing Huddo at FF), won the Most Consistent Award in 1971 and the Best Clubman Award in 1978, earned State representation 9 times, taking out a couple of Simpson Medals along the way, and played in the 1969 and 1976 Night Premierships. He won the AFL Media Association MVP in 1976, and pulled down the Mark of the Year in 1972, 1975 and 1977. He was named at half-back in the Hawthorn Team of the Century and the Ultimate Hawthorn Premiership Team, is a member of the Hawthorn Hall of Fame and a Life Member of the Footy Club, and returned to coach the club for 1994 and 1995 and he still works for the footy club today.

Lethal Leigh Matthews went ok. Named in the best players in the first two Ressies games, he announced himself a little louder with 5 goals and a BOG in round 4. But it took a good game in round 15 for him to earn a senior debut in round 16, and he played the last 5 games of 1969 in the ones. Such was his impact though, he won the Best First Year Player Award. It sounds like sacrilege to mention it, but Lethal was dropped for 2 matches early in 1970, but was the Hawks' BOG in the Reserves both matches and never played another 2nds game. For the record, his achievements are:
332 games
915 goals
29 Finals
7 Grand Finals
4 Premierships (1971, 1976, 1978, 1983 - as captain)
8 Best and Fairest Awards (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1982)
14 times State Representative
6 times Hawthorn Leading Goalkicker (1973 - 51, 1975 - 68, 1981 - 48, 1982 - 74, 1983 - 79, 1984 - 77)
1975 Coleman Medalist - 68 goals
202 Brownlow Votes
3 times All Australian (1972, 1982, 1983)
3-time Night Premiership Player (1969, 1976, 1977)
1969 Best First Year Player
2 times Most Courageous Player Award (1972, 1979)
1982 Best Team Player
Captain for 5 years (1981-1985)
AFL Team of the Century forward pocket
AFL Media Assoc and Player Assoc MVP 1982
AFL Legend, Hall of Fame Member
HFC Team of the Century and Ultimate Premiership Team rover
HFC Legend, Hall of Fame Member, Life Member
Officially the only winner, and current holder, of the title Best Damn Player There's Ever Been

 

[Thaihawk]

1969:

Kelvin Moore came to Hawthorn as a full-forward, and his first season in the Reserves saw him play up forward, kicking 21 goals for the season including a bag of 5 in round 3. Moore of course went on to become a brilliant full-back, named in that position in Hawthorn's Team of the Century after 300 games in the position. Perhaps the switch to defence was neccessary due to a certain Peter Hudson owning the forward post, but whatever the reason it was a success. After playing 1969 and most of 1970 in the Reserves (debuting in round 21, 1970), he played in 3 Premerships (1971, 1976 and 1978) and won the Best and Fairest Award in 1979. He earned State representation 13 times, being named All-Australian twice. He played in the Night Premierships of 1976 and 1977, and won the Most Serviceable Player Award in 1972 and 1973, the Most Consistent Player Award in 1975, the Most Courageous Player Award in 1976 and 1978, and the Best Clubman Award in 1980. He is a Hawthorn Hall of Fame Member and a Life Member of Hawthorn.

I feel a tad out of my depth trying to describe how good these blokes were, so I'll stick with the raw numbers for the most part. Peter Knights also began his Hawthorn career as a forward, booting 32 goals for the Ressies in 1969. Consistenty in the best players through the first half of the season, he was given a senior debut in round 9 and was given 5 non-consecutive matches through the remainder of the season. From 1970 onwards he was a permanent fixture in the senior side, ending up a super-star at CHB, with another switch to the forward line late in his career. What didn't he win? He was a 3-time Premiership Player (tragically missing the 1971 Flag through injury), playing 264 games and booting 201 goals. He won the Best and Fairest Award in 1975 and 1978. He won the club goalkicking in 1972 (with 46 goals, replacing Huddo at FF), won the Most Consistent Award in 1971 and the Best Clubman Award in 1978, earned State representation 9 times, taking out a couple of Simpson Medals along the way, and played in the 1969 and 1976 Night Premierships. He won the AFL Media Association MVP in 1976, and pulled down the Mark of the Year in 1972, 1975 and 1977. He was named at half-back in the Hawthorn Team of the Century and the Ultimate Hawthorn Premiership Team, is a member of the Hawthorn Hall of Fame and a Life Member of the Footy Club, and returned to coach the club for 1994 and 1995 and he still works for the footy club today.

Lethal Leigh Matthews went ok. Named in the best players in the first two Ressies games, he announced himself a little louder with 5 goals and a BOG in round 4. But it took a good game in round 15 for him to earn a senior debut in round 16, and he played the last 5 games of 1969 in the ones. Such was his impact though, he won the Best First Year Player Award. It sounds like sacrilege to mention it, but Lethal was dropped for 2 matches early in 1970, but was the Hawks' BOG in the Reserves both matches and never played another 2nds game. For the record, his achievements are:
332 games
915 goals
29 Finals
7 Grand Finals
4 Premierships (1971, 1976, 1978, 1983 - as captain)
8 Best and Fairest Awards (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1982)
14 times State Representative
6 times Hawthorn Leading Goalkicker (1973 - 51, 1975 - 68, 1981 - 48, 1982 - 74, 1983 - 79, 1984 - 77)
1975 Coleman Medalist - 68 goals
202 Brownlow Votes
3 times All Australian (1972, 1982, 1983)
3-time Night Premiership Player (1969, 1976, 1977)
1969 Best First Year Player
2 times Most Courageous Player Award (1972, 1979)
1982 Best Team Player
Captain for 5 years (1981-1985)
AFL Team of the Century forward pocket
AFL Media Assoc and Player Assoc MVP 1982
AFL Legend, Hall of Fame Member
HFC Team of the Century and Ultimate Premiership Team rover
HFC Legend, Hall of Fame Member, Life Member
Officially the only winner, and current holder, of the title Best Damn Player There's Ever Been

Reports like these are mouthwatering, and it's easy see why so many supporters joined the club during the historic years that followed.

I must admit to this day, if I had to pick my favourite Hawk ever, it would be Peter Knights. Loved watching this guy play footy

The memory has gone now, but the year he damaged his knee, he was a shoe in for the Brownlow. How impressive would that have looked on his record.