All at Hawthorn Football Club send their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of premiership player and former coach Ken Judge, who has passed away today at the age of 58.

Judge played 72 games and kicked 158 goals for the Hawks between 1983 and 1986.

He played in three grand finals, including the 1983 premiership victory in his first year at the club.

Judge also won the Hawks' Best First Year Player award in the same year.

He played another 17 games with the Brisbane Bears from 1987 to 1988, before returning to Hawthorn to coach the club from 1996 to 1999.

Judge coached the club for 89 games, including a finals appearance in his first year at the helm.

Following his time at Hawthorn, Judge moved home to Perth to coach the West Coast Eagles in 2000 and 2001.

Hawthorn CEO Stuart Fox extended the club’s deepest sympathies to Judge’s family, friends and former colleagues.

“The Board of Directors, management, staff and players of Hawthorn Football Club wish to extend their sincerest condolences to Ken’s wife Annette, sons Jason, Ben and Beau, and his extended family and friends at this sad time,” Fox said.

“Ken touched the lives of so many people at Hawthorn and in the wider football community.”

“He had a profound impact on our club and his legacy will live on at Hawthorn.”