Follow along every Tuesday, as we celebrate Hawthorn champions, past and present...

A champion of 304 AFL games, Russell Greene arrived at the Hawks in unusual fashion.

Starting his career with St Kilda over 124 games, Greene received a mid-week phone call from then Hawthorn captain Don Scott ahead of Round 9 during the 1980 season.

Scott famously informed Greene that a trade had been facilitated and that, as of immediately, he was officially a Hawthorn player.

Greene instantly became a permanent fixture in the Hawks side playing predominantly on the wing or as a ruck-rover and, long before gps tracking systems were integrated into the game, was considered one of the best endurance runners of his era.

Having failed to play in a final at any stage during his career with St Kilda, Greene was suddenly part of six consecutive grand final teams from 1983-88.

After winning the first of three premierships in 1983, Greene experienced a career-best year in ’84, averaging more than 26 disposals a game as he won the club’s best and fairest award – the Peter Crimmins Perpetual Memorial Trophy – as well as earning his first All-Australian selection.

Greene was also the recipient of numerous club awards over his career, claiming the Best Clubman award in 1982 and 1985 and was named the Hawks’ Best Team Player in 1983, while post-playing days, he was inducted into the Hawthorn Hall of fame.

Having donned the number 29 jumper over nine seasons with the Hawks, Greene called time on his career in 1988, with the grand final win over Melbourne that year ensuring he left the game on the highest possible note.

Best performance

38 dispoals, 11 marks and two goals v Richmond, Round 16 1984

Best Venue

Princes Park - played 82 games, averaged 18.56 disposals, kicked 41 goals

Best opponent 

Richmond - met 27 times, averaged 19.92 disposals, kicked 19 goals