Hawthorn has unveiled its 2019 alternate guernsey, paying homage to club legend John Kennedy Snr within the unique design.

The jumper is the first iteration of a collectable Legends series, with Kennedy, the first of eight club legends set to be honoured in the coming years.

The guernsey sees a return to the club’s traditional brown and gold colours, straying from the white alternate strip of recent years.

Hawthorn CEO Justin Reeves said:

“We approached the AFL to inform them of our intention to remove the white in 2019.

“Brown and gold are the proud colours of our club, and we’re pleased the Legends guernsey can reflect this.

“The Legends series is about honouring our history, and what better way to do so than with a unique brown and gold strip, accompanied by a nod to one of the most influential figures our club has known.”

The new design is inspired by a former Mayblooms’ guernsey – gold, emblazoned with a brown ‘V’ shaped panel - worn by the club in 1933.

It includes a watermark on the front with a digitised former club logo and Kennedy’s signature inscribed underneath.

The yoke inside the collar celebrates his career accolades, alongside a nostalgic picture from the Hawthorn Legend’s playing days.

Hawthorn fans can pre-order their Kennedy Legends guernsey here.

About John Kennedy Snr: 

Affectionately known as ‘Kanga’, Kennedy played 164 games for Hawthorn from 1950-1959, winning four club best and fairest awards. He became coach in 1960, leading the club to its inaugural premiership the following year. He would go on to win three Jock McHale medals during his coaching career (1961, 1971, 1976).

Kennedy handed over the reigns after 299 games, a club record surpassed only by current coach Alastair Clarkson.

He became Hawthorn’s first Club Legend in 2003, in recognition of a long and decorated career in the brown and gold.