AFL journalist Mike Sheahan has named 18 Hawks in his greatest teams of each of the past five decades.
The former Herald Sun chief football writer has positioned his best 22, along with captain and coach, for the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and 2000s, with Hawthorn Premiership champion Leigh Matthews one of only four players included across two decades.
Inaugural Hawthorn premiership captain Graham Arthur was the only brown and gold representative named in Sheahan’s team of the 60’s, before premiership heroes Peter Knights, Peter Hudson, Michael Tuck and Leigh Matthews were a part of the team of the 1970’s.
After winning four premierships through the 80’s (’83, ’86, ’88, ’89), eight Hawks were littered through the team of the decade – Gary Ayres, Chris Langford and Chris Mew made up the fullback line, while the likes of Dermott Brereton and Jason Dunstall filled the forward line.
Gary Ablett Sr, who played six games for the Hawks in 1982 before crossing to Geelong for 1984, also featured in the 80s’ forward line.
Darren Jarman, Shaun Rehn and Paul Salmon comprised the Hawks’ contingent for the 90’s.
Dual Norm Smith medallist and current skipper Luke Hodge and Brownlow medallist Shane Crawford were a part of the team of the ‘00s.
See the full teams here.
Hawks in Mike Sheahan’s Teams of the Decade:
1960s: G. Arthur (half-forward flank)
1970s: P. Knights (centre-half back), P. Hudson (full forward), L. Matthews (follower), M. Tuck (interchange).
1980s: A. Jeans (coach) G. Ayres (back pocket), C. Langford (full back), C.Mew (back pocket), D. Brereton (centre-half forward), G. Ablett, Sr. (forward pocket), J. Dunstall (full forward), L. Matthews (captain, forward pocket), J. Platten (interchange).
1990s: D. Jarman (half-forward flank), S. Rehn (ruck), P. Salmon (interchange).
2000s: L. Hodge (half-back flank), S. Crawford (interchange).
