We're going through the alphabet one letter at a time categorising our Hawthorn players by not just their talent, but their surname too.

We have considered premierships, accolades, and the number of games played, to come up with a select and prestigious crop of Hawks from throughout history.

Your vote counts.

I.

Terry Ingersoll

Terry Ingersoll has zero competition for the best ever Hawthorn player with the letter "I" at the start of their surname. Ingersoll played at the Hawks for only two years, 1957 and 1958, having been recruited from the NSW league after a prolific season with the Western Suburbs saw him kick 101 goals in the home and away season. He brought his goal-kicking talents to the Hawks, booting 33 majors from his 14 games in his first year, including five on debut. Ingersoll returned home the next year due to a family illness.

J.

Ray Jencke

Ray Jencke was at Hawthorn from 1986 until 1997, playing 194 games for the club. Although he was always seen as a very capable half back flanker, his story is an interesting one as he missed out on the premiership sides of 1986, 1988 and 1989. Jencke eventually discovered that elusive premiership medallion in 1991, after the Hawks overcame the West Coast Eagles in the only time Waverley Park hosted a VFL/AFL Grand Final.

Darren Jarman

Despite only playing five years at Hawthorn, Jarman's impact was still influential. Another 1991 premiership player, that season was his first at the Hawks. He was mightily impressive in his first year in Victoria, averaging 18 disposals and booting 41 goals. The South Australian product followed up the premiership year by gaining his first All Australian selection as centreman, hence consolidating his position as one of the game's best talents. His final year at the Hawks, 1995, was undoubtedly his best as he was selected in his second All Australian team, winning the Peter Crimmins Medal and finishing in second place to Sydney's Paul Kelly in the Brownlow Medal.