Three former Hawks greats will soon join an illustrious list of names in Hawthorn’s Hall of Fame, with Sam Mitchell, Alan Martello and Luke Hodge unveiled as the club’s newest inductees.
The distinguished trio will be celebrated alongside Hawthorn’s latest Legend elevation, with one of the game’s most renowned figures, Allan Jeans, to receive the club’s highest honour, posthumously.
Allan Jeans - Legend elevation
Jeans coached the Hawks through one of the club’s greatest eras, with his golden run netting three premierships in 1983, 1986 and 1989, from a stunning six-consecutive Grand Final appearances.
A revered leader and an inspirational mentor to many, Jeans’ legacy extends beyond the brown and gold, highlighted by his recognition as an inaugural inductee into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
Jeans will deservedly join other club Legends, John Kennedy Snr, Leigh Matthews, Graham Arthur, Michael Tuck, David Parkin, Peter Hudson, Jason Dunstall, Peter Knights and Don Scott.
Sam Mitchell - Inductee
Prior to taking the reigns as current Hawthorn Senior Coach, Sam Mitchell was praised by the football world for piecing together one of the most memorable playing careers in recent history.
Across 307 games in the brown and gold, Mitchell captained the Hawks to a famous 2008 grand final win, before going on to play a central role in the club’s historic three-peat in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Along with three All-Australian jackets, the midfield maestro also claimed football’s highest individual accolade, when he became a Brownlow Medallist in 2012.
Mitchell’s five Peter Crimmins Medals sits only second in Hawthorn’s history behind AFL Legend Leigh Matthews.
Alan Martello - Inductee
Following his debut for Hawthorn as a 17-year-old in 1970, Alan Martello made a name for himself as a prodigious goalkicker and a focal point up forward for the Hawks across the next decade.
A three-time premiership player for Hawthorn in 1971, 1976 and 1978, Martello also became the youngest man ever to reach the 200-game milestone before his retirement in 1983.
Luke Hodge - Inductee
Joining the brown and gold with Pick 1 in the 2001 national draft, Luke Hodge would go on to lift the Hawks to lofty heights across his 305-game career.
Having been among a host of young Hawks to taste ultimate success in 2008, Hodge was appointed captain just a few seasons later – a major catalyst in Hawthorn’s historic run – leading the brown and gold to three consecutive premierships in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
A fearless warrior on the field, Hodge was famous for shining brightly on football’s biggest stage, collecting Norm Smith Medals in 2008 and 2014.
Praised among the Hawthorn faithful as ‘The General’, Hodge also claimed a pair of Peter Crimmins Medals in addition to three All-Australian jackets, including being judged All-Australian captain in 2010.
Jeans, Mitchell, Martello, and Hodge – who combine for 14 total premiership medals – will be celebrated at Hawthorn’s Hall of Fame event Wednesday 17 April at the Plaza Ballroom.
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