Each year the Hawks Museum pays tribute to three former players.  These players have provided the weekly adrenaline drive for countless fans of the brown and gold who ride every bump and cheer.

This year we pay tribute to Andy Angwin, Peter Schwab and James Morrissey.  Visitors to the Hawks Museum will see memorabilia from their personal collections that includes Victorian State and Premiership guernseys and medals, rare photos and Angwin’s magnificent Jack Titus Award.

 

Andy Angwin

Born September 4, 1918, Died July 14, 2002

Played 1938 - 1944

Debut Order 240

Games 75, Goals 10

Guernsey 4

Best & Fairest 1940

2nd Best & Fairest 1941, 1942

State Representative 1

PP&OA President 1964-1967

HFC Life Member 1971

Property Steward 1978-2002

Jack Titus Award for Services to Football 2001

 

Andy Angwin arrived at the club from the VFA club Port Melbourne in 1938 and stayed on in many varying roles until 2002 when he sadly passed away.  His exceptional playing career was shorter than it should have been when he was forced into retirement with a serious knee injury.  A speedy and dare devil wingman, he won the best and fairest in 1940.  He came second in 1941 then again in 1942 with his renowned 'never give up' attitude that underlined his importance to the team.

From his playing days, Angwin always spoke highly of Albert Mills who he claimed was one of the best players and captains ever to wear the brown and gold.  He considered his coach Roy Cazaly to be way ahead of his time with his innovative training methods and team tactics.  One of his favourite football memories was when he was a member of the 1941 State team which was captained by his good friend Richmond’s Jack ‘Captain Blood’ Dyer when they defeated South Australia in Adelaide.

In 1962 Angwin served as a foundation member of the Social Club Committee where he was to meet his partner in crime, Kenny Goddard who later became Head Trainer.  Together they became cornerstones in creating the infectious comrade and team spirit that was to wash over many a player in the Trainers Rooms for the best part of four decades.

For many years Andy and his wife Yvonne, whom he met and married in 1955, washed and mended the guernseys and sewed on the logos and numbers.  On match days he was regarded as the spare parts man, ready for any emergency, making sure all the equipment was ready.  The guernseys, shorts, boots and footballs were all laid prior to the game, ready for the players.

Angwin was always the first at the club when the players arrived for training, and last to leave, accounting for everything, making sure boots were clean and the guernseys washed.  He took a very active part in the Past Players Committee, surviving as president for four years.  He knew everybody and was a walking front of Hawthorn history with the Hawks Museum constantly seeking knowledge from when it was established in 1992.  It was Angwin who alerted the Club that Peter Crimmins' last guernsey was still in his locker that had not been opened since he passed away in 1976.

A confidant to many a player, official and supporter, Angwin was awarded Life Membership in 1971 for his outstanding service to his beloved Hawks.  He was also honoured with the AFL’s prestigious Jack Titus award in 2001 for his long and diligent service to football, which is now on display in the Hawks Museum.

Peter Schwab, James Morrissey and Von Angwin wife of the late Andy Angwin check out their tribute in the Hawks Museum ‘They made the Brown & Gold’.

Peter Schwab

Born September 22, 1960

Played 1980 - 1991

Debut Order 674       

Games 171, Goals 38

Guernsey 54 (1980), 43 (1981), 30 (1982-1991)

Premierships 1983, 1986, 1988

Night Premierships 1985, 1986, 1988

HFC Life Member 1988

Coach 2000-2004

 

Recruited from Bennettswood, Peter Schwab served his apprenticeship in the Reserves where he played 99 games having already played 30 games with the under 19s. This was Hawthorn’s way of instilling the Club’s values and teaching how you were expected to play.  Schwab played over 75 reserve games before he cemented a regular spot in the senior team. 

Football and Hawthorn had a very strong connection with the Schwab family.  Schwab’s father Frank umpired the 1961 grand final when the Hawks won their first Premiership defeating Footscray.  In later years Frank was a keen observer at training on a Thursday night with a group of friends, considered by some as the unofficial team selectors.

Schwab played his first game in Round 21, 1980 enjoying a win against South Melbourne.  He kicked 3 behinds with his 23 disposals.  Considered a utility player with the attitude of team first, he was frequently given tough tagging assignments, with his ability to limit the effectiveness of star opposition players making him a vital cog in the team.

He played in the 1983, 1986 and 1988 premierships, but missed the 1989 flag through a suspension which was considered out of character.  A treasured highlight, Schwab played an outstanding game in the centre in the 1988 Grand Final being listed amongst the best players.  He was also a member of the losing Grand Final sides of 1984, 1985 and 1987.

After retiring in 1991 and wanting to stay in football he joined Richmond as an assistant coach in 1992 under Allan Jeans who was then coaching the Tigers, before returning to Hawthorn as assistant coach to Ken Judge in 1996 and 1997. 

Perhaps influenced by his father’s umpiring career, he then joined the AFL Umpiring Department for two years, before returning to Hawthorn as coach from 2000-2005.  He took Hawthorn into the finals in his first year.  They defeated Geelong in the first elimination final, but the following week they were eliminated by Kangaroos in the semi final.  He took the Hawks to the finals again in 2001, where they defeated Sydney in the elimination final and they then defeated Port Adelaide in the semi final. They eventually lost to Essendon by a kick in a thriller at the MCG in the Preliminary Final.

Schwab's football journey continued on, he coached football at Wesley College for a number of years, served as Chairman on the AFL Match Review Panel, then became Chief Executive Officer of AFL Victoria for four years until 2010.  In November 2013, Schwab took on the role of Senior Director of Coaching and Development with the Brisbane Lions providing support to Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch and has since returned to coaching junior football at Wesley College.


James Morrissey

Born October 4, 1964

Played 1984 - 1993

Debut Order 698       

Games 106, Goals 100

Guernsey 35

Premierships 1988, 1989, 1991

Night Premierships 1988, 1991, 1992

Reserves Premiership 1985

HFC Life Member 2004

James Morrissey nickname, ‘The Freak’ was given as a term of endearment and referred to his ability to kick miraculous goals - best exemplified by Sandy Roberts' commentary in the 1991 Qualifying Final as Morrissey slotted a remarkable six-pointer to help bury the Eagles: "They call this boy 'The Freak' - what can't he do? ... That is why they call him 'The Freak'!"

Recruited from Old Xaverians / North Kew, like so many players at Hawthorn during the 1980’s Morrissey served a lengthy apprenticeship with the Reserves before making his senior debut in round 19 1984 against North Melbourne.  He only managed three kicks for the day, but he registered his first goal.  It would take him till Round 2 1987 v Richmond to play his second senior game.  

In all Morrissey played 120 games in the Reserves, including their premiership in 1985 when the Hawks 18.16.124 defeated Carlton 16.12.108.  The Hawks Reserves had a very strong team that included veterans, Rodney Eade, Peter Knights, Colin Robertson and Gary Buckenara who kicked eight goals as well as future premiership players in Paul Abbott, Peter Curran, Greg Dear, Chris Wittman and James Morrissey who was named on the half back flank.  The senior side played the all-conquering Essendon later that day who steam rolled the Hawks 26.14.170 to 14.8.92.  In hindsight, many a supporter was left wondering if any of the veterans in the Reserves would have made a difference if they had of played in the seniors.

It took five seasons for Morrissey to win a regular place in the seniors, but like so much in his career, the Freak's timing was perfect.  He slotted onto a half forward flank in 1988 and went onto play in three day Premierships, 1988, 1989, 1991 and three night Premierships, 1988, 1991 and 1991. 

Morrissey made his name as a goal kicker, scoring an even 100 by career's end but his finest moment was in defence in the 1991 Grand Final against the West Coast Eagles played at Waverley Park.  He was assigned the stopping role on the mercurial Chris Lewis. He thrashed his potentially dangerous opponent and went close to winning Norm Smith honours.  Naturally, he also found time to go forward and steer through a miraculous goal off one step in the third quarter - the quintessential Freak goal.

Injuries slowed him down after the 1991 triumph, and he was delisted at the end of 1993. Collingwood picked up Morrissey but persistent fitness troubles ensured that Jimmy did not add to his games tally at Victoria Park.

An interesting sidelight to Morrissey’s football career he is a collector of sporting board games.  Not only does he collect them, he invented one in 1992, called ‘The Big Match Football Game’.  In the advertising broche included in the Club’s magazine Hawk Talk, Morrissey’s game is described as four quarters of action-packed fun for the whole family.  By rolling a dice and choosing the right instruction cards the participants move the football down the field by hand or foot. Marks are contested with goals and behinds scored.   Morrissey’s Football Board game is now highly sought after by collectors of Hawk Memorabilia.