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1902 |
1903 |
1904 |
| Hawthorn formed, playing in the Metropolitan Junior Football Association.
Guernsey dark blue with red & white braces which were later to be dropped. Home ground St James Park. Hawthorn Trades Football team wins Premiership. |
Home games moved to Richmond Race Course. | Home games moved to Richmond Cricket Ground (Punt Road Oval.)
Hawthorn Rovers (2nd 18) win Premiership (Eastern Suburban Junior Football Association.) |
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1905 |
1906 |
1912 |
| Hawthorn merged with Boroondara Football Club, retaining name but adopts Boroondara’s guernsey, black with a red sash.
Home games moved to East Melbourne Cricket Ground. Hawthorn Rovers (2nd 18) win second Premiership, (Eastern Suburban Junior Football Association.) |
Constitution of Hawthorn adopted, Club now known as the Hawthorn City Football Club.
Club moves home games and administration offices to the spiritual home, Glenferrie Oval. |
Hawthorn merges with Hawthorn Rovers (2nd 18.)
Hawthorn Rovers gold guernsey with blue V adopted. |
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1914 |
1916 - 1918 |
1919 |
| Hawthorn enters the Victorian Football Association (VFA.)
The word ‘City’ dropped from official Club name. Brown & Gold colours adopted, guernsey now brown with round yoke and HFC initials in gold. |
VFA in recess during World War 1. | VFA competition resumes, Beau Wallace joins as trainer, serves Hawthorn for 51 years. |
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1922 |
1923 |
1925 |
| Club registers record score for both the VFL and VFA competitions, 30.31.21 v Prahran 6.9.45. | First Finals appearance losing to Port Melbourne 14.11.95 v Hawthorn 9.13.67. | Hawthorn enters the Victorian Football League (VFL.)
Guernsey changes to brown with gold V and HFC initials on left breast. Alex ‘Joker’ Hall Coach, Jim Jackson Captain, J W Kennon President. First VFL game Richmond 11.11.77 v Hawthorn 5.9.39. First win at Glenferrie Round 5, Hawthorn 10.14.74 v Footscray 8.12.60. |
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1926 |
1930 |
1931 |
| Winless season – first Wooden Spoon.
Ted Poole first game. |
Bert Mills first game. |
President Kennon retires after 29 years’ service. Stan Spinks first game. |
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1932 |
1933 |
1934 |
| Dr Jona elected as President. Dick Logan Gardiner Medal (Best and Fairest in VFL 2nd 18 competition.)
Old Players’ Group formed to assist Club. |
Mustard Pot Guernsey, colours reversed gold guernsey with brown V.
Ernest ‘Tich’ Utting Gardiner Medal (Best and Fairest in VFL 2nd 18 competition.) |
Guernsey colours reverted to brown with the gold V. Jack Green 80 goals Club record till 1968 when Peter Hudson kicked 125 goals. |
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1938 |
1940 |
1941 |
| The Red Brick Grand Stand (Tuck Stand) opened June 25 replacing the small Kennon and Owen Stand. Ted Poole retires the first Hawthorn player to achieve 200 games, kicking 230 goals. | Alec Albiston first Hawthorn player to kick 10 goals in game R1 v North Melbourne. First wins away against Carlton and Richmond. | Stan Spinks retires 143 games 19 goals.
3rd 18 Premiers (Melbourne Boy’s League) Ernest ‘Tich’ Utting Coach. |
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1942 |
1943 |
1946 |
| Bert Mills retires 196 games 60 goals.
First win over Collingwood at Glenferrie. |
The nickname Mayblooms changed to Hawks (credited to the playing group and coach, Roy Cazaly.) Club misses Final Four by percentage. |
U19s (3rd 18) competition introduced. |
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1949 |
1950 |
1951 |
| Club crisis over Captaincy, Alec Albisiton moves to North Melbourne, Col Austen to Richmond.
Col Austin loses Brownlow on count back (medal awarded retrospectively in 1989.) Dr Jona retires after 24 years’ service. |
Bob McCaskill appointed Coach. Guernsey with vertical brown & gold stripes adopted. Winless season, another wooden spoon.
John Kennedy Snr first game. |
100th victory R3 Hawthorn 12.15.87 v St Kilda 9.10.64 breaking losing run of 22 Games. Old Players’ Group now known as HFC Ex-Players Association, Tom Ferguson President. |
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1952 |
1953 |
1954 |
| Jack Hale appointed Coach. | Dr Ferguson appointed President. | Neil Pearson Gardiner Medal (Best and Fairest in VFL 2nd 18 competition.) |
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1955 |
1956 |
1957 |
| Graham Arthur first game. | First coverage of VFL Matches on TV. Night Competition starts.
2nd 18 first Hawthorn team to play a final on the MCG. |
John Kennedy Senior leads the team out for their first Finals appearance. Hawthorn 10.11.71 defeating Carlton 6.12.48. |
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1958 |
1959 |
1960 |
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2nd 18 first Premiership 7.11.53 v Collingwood 6.13.39. John Fisher Gardiner Medal (Best and Fairest in VFL 2nd 18 competition.) |
2nd 18 Second Premiership 13.18.96 v Fitzroy 9.11.65. Bill Shelton Gardiner Medal (Best and Fairest in VFL 2nd 18 competition.) John Kennedy Snr retires 164 Games 29 Goals. |
John Kennedy Snr appointed Coach. First victory at Victoria Park, by 1 point, achieved with a John Peck goal after the siren. |
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1961 |
1963 |
1964 |
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1st VFL Premiership 13.16.94 v Footscray 7.9.51. Graham Arthur first Premiership Captain and John Kennedy Snr, first Premiership Coach. 1st McClelland Trophy. Club record 12 consecutive matches – R9 to Grand Final. Ian Law first Hawk to kick a goal in a Grand Final. Land at 37 Linda Crescent purchased for Social Club. Coterie Group the Confreres formed. HFC Ex-Players Association changes name to Past Players & Officials Association. David Parkin first game. |
Social Club officially opens April 8. Runner-up in Grand Final, Geelong 15.19.109 v Hawthorn 8.12.60. John Peck 75 Goals first Hawk to win the VFL Leading Goal Kicker Award. |
John Peck 68 Goals to head VFL Goal Kicker Award. |
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1965 |
1967 |
1968 |
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Club slips to bottom of ladder, 11th (and most recent) Wooden Spoon. John Peck 56 goals to head VFL Goal Kicker Award for third consecutive year. Beau Wallace retires as Head Trainer having served from 1919. |
John Kennedy Snr returns as coach for a second time. Peter Hudson and Don Scott first games. Phil Ryan elected as President. |
1st Night Premiership 16.15.111 v North Melbourne 6.14.50. Graham Arthur retires 232 games 201 goals 1 premiership. Peter Hudson first Hawthorn player to kick 100 goals 125 for season. New Stand at Glenferrie named after Dr Ferguson replacing the old Wooden Stand. |
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1969 |
1970 |
1971 |
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2nd Night Premiership 10.17.77 v Melbourne 9.18.72. Peter Hudson kicks 16 goals v Melbourne R5 (Club record.) Peter Knights and Leigh Mathews 1st Game. |
First game at Waverley Park. Ken Goddard appointed Head Trainer. Kelvin Moore first Game. Peter Hudson 146 Goals (awarded Coleman medal retrospectively.) |
Club’s most successful season winning 21 of 24 games. 2nd VFL Premiership 12.10.82 v St Kilda 11.9.75. Wins Australian Championship in SA Hawthorn 13.13,91 v North Adelaide 10.7.67. Wins Rothmans-Channel 7 Championship in WA Hawthorn 12.3.75 v Claremont 4.5.29. Peter Hudson equals Bob Pratt’s (South Melbourne) VFL record 150 goals. |
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1972 |
1973 |
1974 |
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2nd 18 Third Premiership 13.10.88 v Melbourne 12.12.84. 3rd 18 First (& only) Premiership 13.23.101 v Richmond 13.20.98, Brian Coleman Coach. Peter Hudson injures knee R1 at Glenferrie v Melbourne. |
Last home game at Glenferrie R22 16.20.116 v South Melbourne 11.13.79. |
Home Games move to Princes Park (until 1991.) Glenferrie retained for Administration & Training facility. David Parkin retires - 211 Games, 21 Goals, 1 Premiership. |
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1975 |
1976 |
1977 |
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Runner-up in Grand Final, North Melbourne 19.8.122 v Hawthorn 9.13.67. Colour TV introduced. Changes to playing uniform, gold back, brown numbers with brown shorts. Leigh Matthews 68 Goals (awarded Coleman medal retrospectively.) |
3rd VFL Premiership 13.22.100 v North Melbourne 10.10.70 (now known as Crimmo’s Cup.) Peter Crimmins (Captain 1974-75) passed away from cancer three days after Grand Final. First major sponsor (Wynvale Wines.) |
David Parkin appointed Coach. Sponsor logo introduced to guernsey (Wynvale Wines.) 3rd Night Premiership 14.11.95 v Carlton 11.5.71. Peter Hudson returns for year, wins Coleman Medal, 110 Goals, retiring 129 games, 727 goals. |
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1978 |
1979 |
1981 |
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4th VFL Premiership 18.13.121 v North Melbourne 15.13.103. Gary Ayres 1st Game.Alan Goad Gardiner Medal (Best and Fairest in VFL 2nd 18 competition.) |
Ron Cook elected President. Hawthorn plays interstate for first time, 23.18.156 v North Melbourne 16.9.105 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. |
Allan Jeans appointed Coach. Don Scott first player to reach 300 games retires on 302 games 133 goals 3 Premierships. Record crowd, 92,925 at Waverley Park, Hawthorn 18.19.127 v Collingwood 12.9.81. |
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1982 |
1983 |
1984 |
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Leigh Matthews wins his 8th Best and Fairest (Club record.) Leigh Matthews runs into point post at Windy Hill and snaps the post R18. |
5th VFL Premiership 22.20.140 v Essendon 8.9.57. Colin Robertson wins Norm Smith Medal. Chris Langford first game. |
Runner-up in Grand Final, Essendon 14.21.106 v Hawthorn 12.9.81. 3rd McClelland Trophy. Kelvin Moore retires, 300 games 21 goals 3 Premierships. |
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1985 |
1986 |
1987 |
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Runner-up in Grand Final, Essendon 26.14.170 v Hawthorn 14.8.92. 2nd 18 4th Premiership 18.16.124 v Carlton 16.12.108. Greg Dear and Jamie Bennett, joint Gardiner Medal (Best and Fairest in VFL 2nd 18 competition.) 4th McClelland Trophy. 4th Night Premiership 11.11.77 v Essendon 10.8.68. Leigh Matthews retires on 332 games, 915 goals, 4 Premierships. Peter Knights retires on 267 games 202 goals 3 Premierships. |
6th VFL Premiership 16.14.110 v Carlton 9.14.68. Gary Ayres Norm Smith Medal. 5th McClelland Trophy. 5th Night Premiership 9.12.86 v Carlton 5.6.36. Robert DiPierdomenico ties with Greg Williams, Sydney Swans for Brownlow Medal. John Platten first game. Won inaugural Aussie Bowl in Japan Hawthorn 22.17.149 v Carlton 13.18.96. |
Runner-up in Grand Final, Carlton 15.14.104 v Hawthorn 9.17.71. Preliminary Final v Melbourne, Gary Buckenara kicks goal after siren to win. John Platten ties with Tony Lockett St Kilda for Brownlow. Won second Aussie Bowl in Japan Hawthorn 20.14.134 v Essendon 11.9.75. Reserves kicked record score 45.20.290 v Sydney Swans 6.12.48. Allan Jeans stands down ill health. |
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1988 |
1989 |
1990 |
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Trevor Coote elected President. Alan Joyce appointed Coach for one year.
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Playing uniform brown and gold hoop socks changed to gold socks.
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VFL renamed Australian Football League (AFL). Michael Tuck becomes first Hawthorn player to play 400 games. Some Home Games moved to Waverley Park (5), Princes Park (6). The Hard Way by Harry Gordon Published. |
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1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
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Last Home games at Princess Park, six played with five played at Waverley Park. Alan Joyce appointed Coach. 9th AFL Premiership Hawthorn 20.19.139 v West Coast Eagles 13.8.86 at Waverley Park. Paul Dear Norm Smith Medal. 7th Night/Pre Season Premiership Hawthorn 14.19.103 v North Melbourne 7.12.54. Michael Tuck retires with a record of 426 games, Finals 39, Grand Finals 11 & premierships 7. Robert DiPierdomenico retires renowned for his famous quote ‘I was born to play finals.’ 240 games, 130 goals, 5 Premierships, 1 Brownlow Medal. |
All home matches now played at Waverley Park until the end of the 1999 season. 8th Night/Pre Season Premiership Hawthorn 19.14.128 v Fitzroy 8.15.63. Paul Hudson Tuck Medal. Jason Dunstall Coleman Medal 123 Goals, in R7 kicked 17 goals v Richmond (new Club record.) |
Shane Crawford first game. Gary Ayres retires 269 games 70 goals 5 premierships. |
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1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
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13 consecutive years in the Finals an AFL record. Jason Dunstall becomes first Hawthorn player to kick 1000 career goals. |
Simon Crawshay Gardiner Medal (Best and Fairest in VFL 2nd 18 competition.) |
Brian Coleman President 1996. Merger proposal with Melbourne defeated by vote of Hawthorn members. Hawthorn wins R22 ‘merger match’ 15.12.102 v Melbourne 15.11.101 by one point with Chris Langford gaining Brown and Gold immortaility by holding up his Hawthorn guernsey in a message to the members 'show your true colours.' Don Scott leads Operation Pay Back. |
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1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
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Ian Dicker elected President. Simon Lloyd Gardiner Medal (Best and Fairest in VFL 2nd 18 competition.) John Platten retires 258 games 228 goals 4 premierships. Chris Langford retires 303 games 33 goals 4 premierships. |
Playing uniformed change, hooped socks reintroduced. Jason Dunstall retires 269 games 1254 goals (club record) 4 premierships. |
9th Night/Pre Season Premiership Hawthorn 12.11.83 v Port Adelaide 5.6.36. Paul Salmon wins Tuck Medal. Shane Crawford wins Hawthorn’s fourth Brownlow Medal (Hawthorn’s first outright winner.) Last season of Reserves (2nd 18) competition. Final game at Waverley Park Hawthorn 23.15.153 v Sydney Swans 11.2.68 attendance 72,130. |
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2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
| Home Games moved to the MCG. Hawthorn commences affiliation with Box Hill Hawks in VFL (formerly VFA). |
First Home Game played at York Park Launceston. Hawthorn Team of the Century announced. We are Hawthorn: The Pictorial History of the Hawthorn Football Club published Hawks Forever. VFL Premiers Box Hill Hawks 13.13.91 v Werribee 7.12.54. |
Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell play first game. Record Club Membership, 33,319 including 2,638 in Tasmania. |
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2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
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Hawthorn Hall of Fame introduced – John Kennedy Snr and Leigh Matthews named Legends. Inductees – Graham Arthur, Dr Ferguson, Peter Hudson, Allan Jeans, Dr Jona, Peter Knights, Albert ‘Bert’ Mills, David Parkin, Phil Ryan, Don Scott, Michael Tuck. The Debut tie introduced in recognition of all Senior Players. |
York Park Launceston now known as Aurora Stadium. |
Alastair Clarkson appointed coach. Graham Arthur named Club Legend. Hall of Fame Inductees – Ron Cook, Jason Dunstall, Kelvin Moore, John Platten, Ted Poole. Ian Dicker President stands down. Last year at Glenferrie after 100 Years, Social Club closes. |
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2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
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Hawthorn moves to Waverley Park. Playing uniform changed back to 1955-74 design with black number on white patch. Social Club continues at Grace Park Tennis Club before moving to the Tower Hotel in Hawthorn. Past Players continue to use the Dr Ferguson Stand. |
Club plays finals for the first time since 2001. Hall of Fame Inductees – Gary Ayres, Chris Langford, Stan Spinks. Hawks Museum opens in December. |
10th Premiership, Hawthorn 18.7.115 v Geelong 11.23.89. Norm Smith Medal - Luke Hodge. Coleman Medal - Lance Franklin (102 goals.) Michael Tuck named Club Legend. Hall of Fame Inductees – Robert DiPierdomenico, Ken Goddard, Chris Mew. Kennedy Snr statue unveiled at Waverley. Hawk Nest reopens in the Tuck Stand at Glenferrie. Four Home Games now played at Auroa Stadium. Shane Crawford retires with a Premiership in his last (305th) game, 224 goals & 1 Brownlow. Record Club Membership 41,436. |
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2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
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Hall of Fame Inductees – Dermott Brereton, Brian Coleman, Peter Crimmins, John Peck. Record Membership 52, 496. One for All the Story of the Hawthorn Football Club by Harry and Michael Gordon published. |
Peter Hudson named Club Legend. Hall of Fame Inductees - Gary Buckenara, Albert ‘Bert’ Hyde, J.W. Kennon. Record Membership 53,978. |
Coleman Medal Lance Franklin 71 goals. Hall of Fame Inductees – Alec Albiston, Brendan Edwards, Ian Law, W ‘Beau’ Wallace. Record Membership 56,224. |
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2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
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Runners-up Sydney Swans 14.7.91 v Hawthorn 11.15.81. 7th McClelland Trophy. Andrew Newbold elected President. Record Club Membership 60, 841 members. |
11th PremiershipHawthorn 11.11.77 v Fremantle 8.14.62. Norm Smith Medal Brian Lake. Coleman Medal Jarryd Roughead 68 goals. 8th McClelland Trophy. Equals record consecutive wins, set 1961 – R2 to R14. David Parkin named Club Legend. Hall of Fame Inductees - Jack Hale, Harry E Miller, Roy Simmonds. Adidas new guernsey manufacturer. Record Membership 63,353. VFL Premiers Box Hill Hawks 14.15.99 v Geelong Cats 11.12.78. Norm Goss Medal Jonathan Simpkin (Best on Ground in VFL Grand Final.) J.J Liston Trophy - Mitch Hallahan. |
12th Premiership Hawthorn v Sydney Swans. Norm Smith Medal Luke Hodge (second Hawk to win 2 Norm Smith medals.) Hall of Fame - Jason Dunstall named Club Legend. Record Membership 68,650. VFL Runners-up Footscray 16.13.109 v Box Hill Hawks 13.9.87. J.J Liston Trophy - Alex Woodward (Best and Fairest in VFL.) Frosty Miller Medal - Sam Grimley (VFL) with 38 goals. Playing to Win the Inside Story of Hawthorn’s Journey to an 11th Premiership by Michael Gordon published. |
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2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
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13th Premiership (first three-peat) Hawthorn 16.11.107 v West Coast Eagles 8.13.61. Norm Smith Medal Cyril Rioli. Hall of Fame Inductees Shane Crawford, Max Elmer, Russell Greene, Earnest ‘Tich’ Utting. Record Membership 72,924. HFC Archives Collection Published by Icon Treasures. |
Richard Garvey elected Club President. Sam Mitchell receives retrospective 2012 Brownlow Medal, tied with Trent Cotchin, Richmond. Sixth consecutive finals appearance. Sam Mitchell plays 300th game, Round 18 v Richmond. Record Club Membership 75,351. |
Peter Knights named Club Legend. Hall of Fame Inductees - Miles Sellers, John O'Mahony, Brian Kann and John Kennedy Junior. Luke Hodge retires on 305 games, 193 goals, 4 premierships Box Hill Women's team inaugural season in VFLW. Record Club Membership 75,663. Justin Reeves appointed CEO. |
Please note: This page is updated annually at the conclusion of each season.
Football in Hawthorn
The earliest recorded game of football known in the Hawthorn district was when Hawthorn Grammar School played and defeated St Patrick’s College at Grace Park on August 5, 1871.
A number of clubs followed playing under the Hawthorn name. Listed below are the clubs, when they formed and when they disbanded.
1871 - 1873 Hawthorn Grammar School
1873 - 1883 The first team to be called the Hawthorn Football Club
1889 - Riverside Football Club (1880 – 1890) was re-named Hawthorn for one year
1893 - 1898 The third team to be known as the Hawthorn Football Club
1900 - Hawthorn Rovers and Hawthorn Trades Club
The birth of The Hawthorn Football Club
Local football identity, Mr Alfred Kosky and Councillor J C Watts held a meeting in the Hawthorn Town Hall during April 1902 that saw the birth of the present day Hawthorn Football Club from the merging of smaller clubs that played in the local district. The only known club involved was the Glenburn Club, which was possibly a combination of the Glenferrie and Auburn areas.
Hawthorn was to play in the Metropolitan Junior Football Association with a second 18 in the Eastern Suburbs Junior Football Association. A third 18, the Tradesman Team was formed to play in the Wednesday Afternoon League. The following timeline shows the Hawthorn Football Club’s climb to the top competition, the VFL/AFL.
1902 - 1913 Metropolitan Junior Football Association (MJFA)
1914 - 1924 Victorian Football Association (VFA)
1925 - 1989 Victorian Football League (VFL)
1990 - Australian Football League (AFL)
