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.
K.
John Kennedy Snr
John Kennedy Snr is one of the most iconic names at Hawthorn. Over a ten-year playing career for the Hawks, Kennedy won four best and fairest awards in his first five years at the club and played 169 games, serving as captain for the second half of his career until his retirement in 1959. Kennedy returned the next year to begin what would be an illustrious coaching career at Hawthorn, lasting 14 years, 299 games and three premierships. Kennedy's coaching mantra is forever ingrained in football folklore, epitomized in his famous catch-cry, "don't think, do!". He demanded quality and professionalism from his troops, and the outcome of this is why Kennedy will be forever regarded as one of the game's greatest ever figures.
1 on 1 Clarko and Kennedy: The Early Years
1 on 1 Clarko and Kennedy: The Golden Years
1 on 1 Clarko and Kennedy: Present Day
Peter Knights
Widely regarded as one of the game's greatest ever centre half-backs, Peter Knights was a unique talent. Easily recognised by his high-flying marks and elite foot skills, Knights was fittingly awarded the half-back flank position in Hawthorn's Team of the Century. Raised in the Victorian town of Longwarry, Knights began his 17-year career in the brown and gold in 1969. Showing his versatility, after a knee injury to Peter Hudson in the 1972 season, Knights was moved forward. Despite not playing the entire year up forward, he won the club's leading goal kicker award that year. Leading a career that could have potentially been even greater had it not been so constantly interrupted by injury, the three-time premiership player came close to winning two Brownlow medals, instead finishing runner-up in both 1976 and 1978. Knights' 264 game service to the league was deservedly recognised with his inductions to both the AFL and Hawthorn Hall of Fames.
John Kennedy Jnr
Despite beginning his Hawthorn career in 1979 with the burden of being the son of a Hawthorn legend, John Kennedy Jnr never seemed perturbed by that pressure and arguably surpassed the impact of his father's playing career by the end of his own. Kennedy's time at Hawthorn spanned 13 years, playing 241 games and booting 211 goals. Having joined the Hawks from amateur club De La Salle, Kennedy quickly impressed, displaying attributes of strength, courage, determination and impressive physical fitness. Kennedy was a four-time premiership player and currently sits 14th on the all-time Hawthorn career games list.
John Kennedy Jnr on Open Mike - Part 1
John Kennedy Jnr on Open Mike - Part 2
Robert Keddie
Although Robert Keddie built a very successful career, undoubtedly his finest moment for the Hawks came late in the 1971 VFL Grand Final against St Kilda. With the Hawks trailing by 20 points at the final break, a hero was required if they were to win their second flag. Inside the huddle, legendary coach John Kennedy Snr decided to move Keddie to full-forward, pushing Peter Hudson to centre half-forward. Kennedy exclaimed, "you'll have to win this for us, Bob!". And that is exactly how fate would have it, as Keddie kicked four final quarter goals in a heroic performance, thrusting the cup out of the hands of the Saints. Keddie's 132-game, 195-goal career featured other highlights including two best and fairest awards, a selection in the inaugural international rules Australian side that toured Ireland and a 47-goal 1970 season (that was slightly overshadowed by Hudson's 146 goals in the same year). But that one day in 1971 has forever etched Keddie's name into Hawthorn history.
