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.
L.
Chris Langford
Chris Langford began his career in 1983, playing on the wing and as a pinch-hitting second ruckman when required. It wasn’t until the 1985 retirements of both David O'Halloran and Peter Knights, that Langford was chosen to fill the massive voids left by the two great Hawk defenders. Two years later, Langford won All Australian honours at full back. Having anchored the four Hawk premierships between 1986 and 1991, Langford was voted captain in 1994 in a year that saw him collect his second All Australian call-up. Langford remains one of only seven Hawks to have played 300 games for the club.
Ian Law
After a modest debut season in 1960, in which Law played seven games and booted nine goals, the Hawthorn local truly burst onto the scene in his second year as he won the club best and fairest, finished third in the Brownlow Medal count and won a VFL premiership. Noted for being a terrier-like rover, Law's attributes included his toughness, his speed and his high skill level. He won two more club best and fairest awards in 1963 and 1964 before retiring in 1968 after 106 games for the club. Law was named on the interchange of the Hawthorn Team of Century.
Brian Lake
Potentially a somewhat controversial inclusion, Lake only played three of his 14 AFL seasons in the brown and gold. Yet they were some of the most golden in Hawthorn history. Lake enjoyed a perfect strike-rate in his time at Waverley Park, winning three premierships in each of his three years at the club. An integral part of a staunch defensive unit, Lake was awarded the 2013 Norm Smith Medal for his incredible aerial supremacy, fending off numerous Fremantle forays forward in the final.
Watch Brian Lake highlights from his career at Hawthorn
Jordan Lewis
Jordan Lewis has had a unique career in so many ways. For one, his four premiership medallions set him aside from a great majority throughout the history of our game. But perhaps even more remarkable is the way his career has got better and better the older he has become. Like a fine wine, you'd dare say. Lewis' three highest disposal season averages have all come in the last three years. In that time, the hard nut has claimed two premiership medals, an All Australian honour and a Peter Crimmins Medal. Lewis departed to Melbourne during last year's trade period after an outstanding 264-game career in the brown and gold.
