Here at Hawthorn, we understand that AFL is a team game. Each player, coach and official is but a cog in the wheel of a well-oiled machine, chugging towards success.

But over the next 11 days, we’re forgetting about the team achievements and throwing the spotlight on individuals. 

Here’s the question; which Hawk has the most impressive trophy case of all time? 

Each accolade has been given a weighting (see bottom of page), and the numbers have been crunched to see who comes out on top. 

Follow along each day on hawthornfc.com.au, as we slowly reveal Hawthorn’s Ultimate Trophy Cabinet.

10th

A champion centre halfback, Knights sits 10th amongst the all-time great Hawks for the accolades gathered throughout his career.

Knights won three premierships throughout an illustrious career and, had it not been for a devastating injury in 1971, could have added a further five points to his name.

A veteran of 264 games, Knights took out the Hawks’ best and fairest award twice –  first in 1975 and again in 1978 when Leigh Matthews also recorded nine points for the pair’s best and fairest tie.

An inaugural inductee into the AFL’s Hall of Fame, Knights has also been recognised with Legend status in Hawthorn’s Hall of Fame while he has also received the honour of being named in the Hawks’ Team of the Century on a halfback flank.

Breakdown of points:

264 games (8 points)
AFL Hall of Fame (20 points)
Hawthorn Hall of Fame Legend Status (25 points)
Hawthorn Team of Century (11 points)
2x Peter Crimmins Medals, 1x 2^nd, 3x 3^rd (28 points)
3x premierships (15 points)

Trophy Cabinet key:

*Only award points if player hasn’t received AFL HoF

^Only award points if player is in final 22  

** Despite being a team achievement, we felt it was important to still include premierships, but with considerable less weighting than other individual achievements.