As part Hawthorn’s VFL/AFL 100-year celebrations, the club has released a significant guernsey with the names of the 973 players, in debut order, who have represented the Mayblooms / Hawks from 1925 to 2024.
The names of the 32 serving coaches are also included.
On Sunday 9 February, the club issued an invitation to all past players, officials and volunteers to attend a ‘Welcome Back to Bunjil Bagora, Waverley Park’ function ahead of its annual family day to reunite with their fellow teammates.
Approximately 160 players attended.
They were pleasantly surprised to receive an unexpected gift from the club, the 100-year guernsey in a gift box recording their name, debut number and statistics, recognising their service.
That evening and the following days, the phone rang hot in the Hawks Museum as family members of deceased players learnt that they too would receive a 100-year guernsey.
One such phone call came from Andrea McBride on the Friday afternoon following the Sunday function for the past players.
Andrea stated that she was kin to Ernest ‘Tich’ Utting, who played in the club’s very first game in the VFL in 1925.
Realising the importance of the phone call, several questions were asked.
Was Andrea aware of her great uncle’s achievements at Hawthorn?
Was she aware that he had won the 1929 best and fairest award?
Was his trophy was still within the family?
Yes, was the excited reply.
Arrangements were made for Andrea to visit the Hawks Museum.
The curator spent a weekend anticipating ‘what if’.
Come Monday, Andrea arrived at the museum with a large bag in tow.
She was accompanied by two friends, Mick Bryan and Michael Lamb, who also carried large bags.
One bag carried framed team photos while a second bag held a marvellous trophy.
A framed cricket ball included the caption, Ern Utting Hawthorn v Northcote, 13 wickets for 11 runs.
We would learn that Utting was also a talented spin bowler and he returned these incredible match figures to lead his team to the 1929-1930 Premiership in the East Suburban District & Church’s Competition.
The third bag held Utting’s 1929 best and fairest award.
The trophy is a stunning shield and easily one of the most impressive trophies associated with Hawthorn.
Andrea offered the trophy for display in the museum.
Within a day Utting’s best and fairest trophy and his framed cricket ball were placed on display in the Latest Acquisitions Cabinet.
It will be a major attraction in the new museum space at the Kennedy Community Centre.
The Utting family has long held the belief that ‘Tich’ had won two best and fairest awards, with the two trophies being similar in appearance.
Unfortunately, the second trophy’s whereabouts are unknown.
It was thought that he may have won the award in 1927, but recent research found that Ted Pool received the 1927 best and fairest award.
The museum is now posing a question - did Utting win the 1931 best and fairest award?
Museum assistant curator, Rachel Bradshaw has scoured the 1931 and 1932 newspapers searching for clues.
We have learnt that in 1931, Utting was probably Hawthorn’s best player.
He missed just one game for the season and was listed among the best players in most of the games he played.
He also led his teammates in the Brownlow votes and the 1932 newspapers mentioned that he was Hawthorn’s best player in the previous year.
Unfortunately, the 1931 HFC Annual Report does not record any trophy winners.
If anyone has any further information on who may have won the 1926 or 1931 best and fairest awards, please contact the Hawks Museum.
Ernest ‘Tich’ Utting
Born October 31, 1897, Died November 21, 1948
Recruited Preston
Debut Order 15
Played 1923-1932
Guernsey 26 (VFA, 1923-24), 12 (VFL, 1925-27), 2 (1928, 1930), 20 (1929), 28 (1931-32)
Games VFA 26, VFL 101
Goals VFA 17, VFL 28
Best & Fairest 1929
Life Member 1933
HFC Hall of Fame Inductee 2015
Mural – 100 Years of Australian Rules Football
1996 – his portrait is included
Reserves Playing Coach 1933
Gardiner Medal 1933
Third 18 Coach (Under 20) 1938-1941
Premiership 1941
Assisted with Club training and recruiting of players
until his early passing in 1948.
Ernest ‘Tich’ Utting was recruited from Preston in 1923 when Hawthorn competed in the VFA prior to joining the VFL in 1925.
He previously played 16 games with Collingwood in the VFL from 1919 - 1922.
He was a member of the team that played against Richmond in Hawthorn’s first game in the VFL at Glenferrie in 1925.
Playing in the back pocket, the nuggety Utting was known for his great anticipation and tenacious attack at the ball.
His balding head and bowed legs made him a real favourite with the supporters as he guarded the opposition's goals with fierce determination.
Utting won the best and fairest in 1929, playing his last game at the age of 34.
Utting was also the first player to be accorded a Club Testimonial in recognition for valued services to the Club held in the Hawthorn Town Hall on 20 August, 1932.
A fascinating photo of this grand occasion can be seen in the book, ‘We are Hawthorn – The Pictorial History of the Hawthorn Football Club’ on page 123.
Utting was appointed playing coach of the Reserve 18 in 1933.
The team narrowly missed the finals by percentage.
However, he gained some reward winning the Gardiner Medal for Best Player in the Reserves Competition, being the second Hawthorn player to achieve this award.
Forever the epitome of the ideal clubman, Utting continued to assist with the development of the younger players.
He coached the Hawthorn Third 18 (Under 20s) team for four years in the Melbourne Boys’ League, winning the Premiership in 1941.
This was the club’s first premiership at any level since joining the VFL in 1925.
After stepping down as coach, he continued to offer his assistance with training and the recruiting of potential players until his early passing in 1948.
In 2015, Utting was inducted into the HFC Hall of Fame in recognition for his outstanding service from 1923 to 1948.
The Hawks Museum is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday visits can be arranged by appointment. Please find the contact details below.
Contact
03 9535 3075 or email hawksmuseum@hawthornfc.com.au
Admission
Glenferrie Gold and Friends of the Hawks Museum are free (please wear current badge).
General entry by gold coin donation, cashless payment also available.
Location
Bunjil Bagora, Waverley Park
Stadium Circuit
Mount Waverley
More information
https://www.hawthornfc.com.au/club/history/hawks-museum
