Each year the Hawks Museum honours three former players in the exhibit titled They Made the Brown & Gold.  For 2014 the former players to be honoured are Ernest 'Tich' Utting, Rodney Olsson and Richard Taylor. 

This exhibit is drawn from their personal collections and includes guernseys, trophies and memorabilia seen on public display for the first time.

When next visiting Waverley don’t miss this enlighten display that will bring back many memories of the outstanding service that Ernest “Tich” Utting, Rodney Olsson and Richard Taylor gave first to the Mayblooms then the Hawks.

Ernest ‘Tich’ Utting

Played 1923 – 1932
Guernsey 26 (1923-24), 12 (1925-27), 2 (1928,30), 20 (1929), 28 (1931-32)
Games VFA 26, VFL 101
Goals VFA 17, VFL 28
Best & Fairest 1927, 1929
Gardiner Medal 1933
Life Member 1933
Reserves Playing Coach 1933
Third 18 Coach 1938-41
Premiership 1941

Utting first played football at senior level with Collingwood in the VFL (1919-21) then Preston in the VFA (1922) before being recruited by Hawthorn in 1923 when the Club was still competing in the Victorian Football Association. 

He was to make a name for himself playing in his favourite position the back pocket.   The nuggetty Utting was known for his great anticipation and tenacious attack at the ball and always gave his all.   His balding head and bowed legs made him a real favourite with the supporters as he guarded the opposition goals with fierce determination. 

He became the first player to win the Best & Fairest twice.  His outstanding team play in defence saw him win the award first in 1927 then in 1929.  He was also the first player to be accorded a Club Testimonial held in the Hawthorn Town Hall on August 20, 1932 in recognition for his outstanding contribution to Hawthorn.

Utting was appointed Playing Coach of the Reserve 18 in 1933 with the team narrowly missing the finals by percentage, however Utting gained some reward winning the Gardiner Medallist for Best Player in the Reserves Competition.

Forever the epitome of the ideal clubman, Utting continued to assist with the development of the younger players and coached the Hawthorn Colts (third 18) for four years, winning the Premiership in 1941.

Rodney Olsson

Played 1962-69
Guernsey 25
Games 116
Goals 64
Vice Captain 1969
Night Premierships 1968, 1969
Best Player in Night Series 1968
Most Consistent Player 1968, 1969
Best Team Player 1969
Best Clubman 1963

Olsson was a known for his ability to adapt either playing forward or back as the team required.  He also developed into a very consistent and hard-working ruck-rover and was valued as an outstanding clubman. 

When he joined Hawthorn from Old Scotch he first played as a centre half-forward then found his niche on the ball adding the extra grunt that coach Kennedy demanded of his players.  In the push to the finals in 1963 he was a key player was vice-captain in 1969.  He was named as one of the best players in both the back-to-back Night Premierships in 1968 and 1969.

He later coached Sandy Bay in Tasmania to two Premierships, 1971 and 1972 winning the Best and Fairest Award in 1970 and 1975.  He was to gain further fame at Hawthorn when he assisted Peter Hudson with his personal training when Hudson made his final comeback in season 1977.  Ollson then returned to Victoria coaching Geelong from 1976-1979, twice making the finals.

Richard Taylor

Played 1992-2000
Guernsey 41 (1992), 4 (1993), 6 (1995-2000)
Games 112
Goals 46
Night Premiers 1999
2^nd Club Champion (tied with Tony Woods)1999
Most Courageous Player 1998
Most Improved Player 1996
Encouragement Award 1992

Recruited from Camberwell Grammar, Taylor over come a variety of setbacks to establish him as one of the most reliable team members.  He was delisted by the club in 1995, but regained his spot on the senior list in March 1995. 

In addition to his two knee reconstructions, Taylor also suffered a broken wrist and glandular fever before he turned 21.  In 1996 he came back strongly and took over the first rover role from the aging John Platten.  As a youngster he played for the Hawks’ little league side and that was perhaps the key to his determination. 

Then Coach Ken Judge once said of him that Taylor’s commitment to football was equal to any he had seen in the game.  He had a ferocious tackling style and his time at Hawthorn was spread across the wing, half-forward flank and on the ball.  He confirmed his status in the club by running second to Shane Crawford in the club Best and Fairest award in 1999 and played a valued role in the Night Premiership when the team defeated Port Adelaide. 

He later continued his football with the West Coast Eagles playing a further 28 games.