During April, Glenferrie Gold Patron Craig Williamson visited the museum to pass on a collection of guernseys from dual premiership player, Scott Maginness.

The guernseys were worn by Scott’s father Norm, who played 64 games between 1953-1958, including the 1958 Reserves Premiership, which was Norm’s last game with the Hawks.

To the museum’s surprise, included in the Norm Maginness collection was a Hawks Basketball singlet and a Collingwood guernsey. Hawthorn had played in the Victorian Footballers’ Basketball League in 1956. To receive a singlet worn by Norm in that competition was a real bonus. Norm’s teammates were Graham Arthur, Peter Kanis, John Kennedy Snr, John O’Mahony, Ian Pearson, John Peck, Roy Simmonds, and Clayton Thompson. A photo of the basketball team in action can be seen on page 79 of the book Mud Muscle and Blood: the story of the 1957 Hawks.

The Collingwood Guernsey was a mystery until we discovered that Norm had received the guernsey when he exchanged guernseys with his opponent Ron Booth after the final siren in the 1958 Reserves Grand Final.

It then crossed our collective minds that there was a chance for a third guernsey swap. The museum had previously organised a 1961 Grand Final Guernsey Swap with Footscray (Western Bulldogs) at the MCG in 1999.  On that memorable occasion, Graham Arthur, Brendan Edwards, John S Fisher, John Peck, John Winneke, Garry Young and Colin Youren, with Bob Spargo and Charlie Stewart from Footscray regained their Grand Final guernseys. 

This event was followed by another guernsey swap at the Friends of the Hawks Museum in 2014 when Peter Knights and Carlton’s, Rod ‘Curley’ Austen exchanged guernseys, worn in the Reserves Grand Final in 1985.

Inspired by the thought of another possible guernsey swap, contact was made with Collingwood’s History & Archives Manager Michael Roberts.

Initially, Roberts drew a blank as Ron Booth only played Reserves and U19s football with Collingwood and, like most clubs in the AFL, very few records have been kept for those grades of football. However, all was not lost. Michael turned to Phil Taranto, a member of Collingwood’s Archive team, who was researching Collingwood’s Reserves and U19 teams. He mentioned that a Jacob Booth was presently playing with Collingwood’s VFL team and perhaps it was worthwhile speaking to him. 

Contact was made with Jacob who, without hesitation, he stated that Ron Booth was his grandfather, but he had passed away some years back. He then went on to say that when his father, Darren Booth was sorting out his late grandfather’s processions, he was puzzled to find a Hawthorn guernsey. To his disappointment, his father rarely talked about his football playing days.  The question remained unresolved as to why his dad had a Hawthorn guernsey until Roberts spoke to him about the possibility of a guernsey swap with Hawthorn.

The Booth family were all rusted-on followers of Collingwood, except for their relatives, the Keogh family, who reside in Albury. The Keoghs were switched-on Hawk supporters. A decision was made to pass on the Hawthorn guernsey to Brian Keogh. We were to discover later that he and his family are members of the Kennedy Club, attending most home games in Melbourne.

On May 19, the museum staff, accompanied by Club Director Anne-Maree Pelizzer, HM Photographer, Rachel Bradshaw, Confrere, Craig Williamson, and Richard Allsop of Footy Flashback fame met with Collingwood’s Michael Roberts, members of the Booth and Keogh families by the Leigh Matthews Statue near gate 4 at the MCG.

After a brief nervous wait, Norm Maginness and son Brett were spotted walking towards the Matthews statue. What was to follow was a trip down memory lane. 

Norm and his direct opponent from the 1958 Reserves Grand Final, Ron Booth’s grandson Jacob met, chatted then shook hands and exchanged the guernseys. There was a real glint in Norm’s eyes when he turned to his son, Brett after reclaiming the premiership guernsey that he wore 63 years ago. 

Two fascinating stories emerged. The first was that both the Maginness and the Booth family celebrate three generations with VFL/AFL football. The Maginness family, Norm, Scott, and Finn have all represented the Club at senior level whist the Booth family Ron, with Collingwood Reserves and U19s, son Darren (played with Carlton Under 19s) and grandson, Jacob currently with Collingwood’s VFL team. 

Of great interest to all, was the second story. Deep in the last quarter Hawthorn led by four points when Ron Booth, after taking a mark, had a kick for goal but failed to register a score. Was Norm standing on the mark, distracting Booth’s concentration? Norm couldn’t remember whether he did or not. But he did recall the magic sound of the final siren sounding!

Norm Maginness – The Player

Born 29 April 1933

Recruited Ashburton

Guernsey 35

Debut Number 443

First Game Round 14, 1953

Final Game Round 13, 1958

Games 64

Goals 0

Maginness was recruited to Hawthorn from Ashburton in the Eastern Suburban League and made his debut on the half-back flank in Round 14, 1953. He held his position for the final five games of the season and it was reported that “he played soundly enough in his few senior games to suggest that this year’s experience will find him much improved next season”. 

He played every game in 1954 before a fractured AC joint and a poisoned toe wrecked his 1955 season, before being a regular in both 1956 and 1957. He managed a further eight games in 1958 before a back injury curtailed his League career. 

Maginness is a part of two significant moments in the Hawks Story.  He was a member of the first Senior Finals appearance on the MCG when the Hawks defeated Carlton then the following year as a part of the Club’s first 2^nd 18 Premiership in 1958.

Like many of his teammates, Maginness worked on Saturday mornings, and he recalls that between work and the game he would have a steak for lunch at Connells Hotel in the city.

Norm is proud to head three Maginness generations to play with the Hawks. Son, Scott played 131 games (1988-1996) including the 1988 and 1989 Premierships and grandson Finn, who is currently on the senior list has registered 32 games to date. With a touch of luck, the Maginness family could have been four generations. Norm’s father Don played for the Hawthorn 2nds and almost managed a senior game in 1928 but was unable to get leave from his work with the railways. 

Officially, Norm Maginness did not kick a single goal in his 64 games. However, Maginness claims that he did indeed kick a goal at the Punt Road end of the MCG in a clash with Melbourne. He is not sure of which season it was but remembers being disappointed with the newspapers for incorrectly crediting his goal to a teammate.

After Hawthorn, Maginness had stints with two VFA clubs, Mordialloc and Waverley. The former had his former teammate, Len Crane, as captain-coach, while at the latter he played in their first VFA season, 1961.