Hawthorn Football Club inducted four new members into its Hall of Fame at the club's official 2015 Season Launch on Wednesday night.

The event, held at Melbourne's Luminare in South Melbourne honoured Ernest ‘Tich’ Utting, Max Elmer, Russell Greene and Shane Crawford for their contributions to the club.

A two-time best and fairest winner, Utting's career spanned nine years (between 1923-1932) where he played a total of 127 VFA/VFL games, mostly as a back pocket.

He was the first ever player to reach 100 VFL games for the club and win two best and fairest awards (1927 and 1929).

Utting was awarded life membership in 1933.

Elmer's long-serving involvement with Hawthorn began in 1951 as Honorary Ticket (Membership) Secretary before he was appointed to the Committee on which he served for 27 years.

He was involved in the appointment of John Kennedy Snr as coach, something he says is one of his greatest achievements in his time at the club.

Greene spent eight successful seasons at Hawthorn between 1980–1988, where he played 184 games, won three premierships (1983, 1986, 1988) and won a best and fairest (1984).

A disciplined footballer, Greene was well-respected by his teammates and peers and typified the Hawks’ style of hard running from the backline, which was developed in the 80s under Coach Allan Jeans.

The much-loved Crawford played 305 career games with the Hawks between 1993–2008 and famously won a premiership in what would turn out to be his final AFL match in 2008.

He captained the club from 1999–2004 and won the Brownlow Medal as the league's fairest and best player in his first year in the role.

Crawford also won Hawthorn's best and fairest four times - in 1998, 1999, 2002 and 2003.

Ernest ‘Tich’ Utting

Played: 1923–1932
Games: VFA 26, VFL 101
Goals: VFA 17, VFL 28
Best and fairest: 1927, 1929
Life member: 1933

Ernest Utting, or ‘Tich’ as he was affectionately known, was
recruited from Preston in 1923 when Hawthorn competed in the VFA. He was a member of the team that played against Richmond in Hawthorn’s first game in the VFL in 1925 at Glenferrie Oval. Playing in the back pocket, Utting was known for his great anticipation and tenacious attack at the ball.

Utting recorded a number of firsts at the club. He was the first to win the best and fairest twice (1927 and 1929). Playing his last game at the age of
34, ‘Tich’ was also the first player to be awarded a club testimonial
in recognition for valued services to the Hawks.

The ultimate clubman, Utting was appointed playing coach of the Reserve 18 in 1933, and coached the Hawthorn Colts for four years, which included a premiership in 1941. After stepping down as coach he assisted with training and recruitment until his early passing in 1948.

Max Elmer

Committee: 1952–1979
Assistant treasurer: 1953-1958
Vice president: 1959–1965, 1971–1976
Treasurer: 1968–1979
Life Member: 1959

Max Elmer’s long-serving involvement at Hawthorn began in 1951 when he took on the task of Honorary Ticket (Membership)
Secretary.

Considered one of the finest ambassadors for Hawthorn Football Club, Elmer served on the committee for 27 years. Known for his wisdom, loyalty and business acumen, his contribution resulted in both on-field and off-field success.

According to Elmer, his most important achievement was
appointing John Kennedy Sr as coach. This was only one of many achievements that included establishing the Hawthorn District
Junior League as a recruiting ground with Bill Wallace, supervising club dinners after each home and away game with his wife Jess and setting up the first souvenir stall to sell club memorabilia.
 

Russell Greene

Played: 1980–1988
Games: 184
Goals: 82
Premierships: 1983, 1986, 1988
Best and fairest: 1984
Life member: 1986

A Hawthorn Football Club triple premiership player, Russell Greene had an unusual introduction to the mighty Hawks. He was selected in the seniors by St Kilda on Thursday, traded to the Hawks on the Friday and played with his new team that weekend. He would go on to play a further 184 games for the Hawks, taking his total AFL games tally to 304.

Greene was a disciplined footballer and became one of the game’s most respected players due to his non-stop running capacity both on the wing and as a ruck-rover. Greene typified the Hawks’ style of hard running from the backline, which was developed in the 80s under Coach Allan Jeans.

A very popular clubman and leader, he retired following the 1988 Grand Final and went on to coach the under 19s, helping to groom future Hawks.

Russell Greene during his playing days at Hawthorn.

Shane Crawford

Played: 1993–2008
Games: 305
Goals: 224
Premiership: 2008
Captain: 1999–2004
Life Member: 2001
Club Champion: 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003
Brownlow Medal: 1999

A genuine champion of the game, Shane Crawford was heart and soul of Hawthorn for seventeen seasons until his retirement in 2008. Crawford’s elite fitness enable him to play as an onballer for an entire game and he became the sixth player to pass 300 games for the Hawks.

He won the Club Champion award four times, joining John Kennedy Sr, Jason Dunstall and Sam Mitchell as the most decorated group of players behind the legendary Leigh Matthews, who won a record eight Best and Fairest awards.

Crawford was the face of the club during the turbulent 1990s and became the first Hawk to win the Brownlow outright. In his 305th and final match – the longest wait in VFL/AFL history to win a flag – he achieved his dream of playing in a premiership with the Hawks.

Shane Crawford celebrates on the siren at the 2008 Grand Final.