Last week, we put together Hawthorn’s Team of Trades - the best 22 men who started their careers elsewhere before donning the brown and gold.
This week, we’re focusing on the ones that got away.
With 13 premierships from the last 56 years, we certainly wouldn’t change a thing. But that’s not to say we don’t occasionally wonder about the ‘what ifs’ had some of the men of this calibre stuck it out in the brown and gold.
Some hit their peak at Waverley, some soared at their second homes, some…TBC.
Here are the best 22 players who started AFL life as a Hawk, before switching stripes and continuing their careers elsewhere.
Backline
Luke Hodge – The ‘Hodge’ story is fresh in all footy fans’ minds, after only last month watching the Hawthorn great backflip on retirement to continue his career with the Lions.
While Hodge’s career in the maroon, blue and gold is yet to transpire, the former Hawthorn captain has already achieved virtually all there is to achieve in our game.
Four premierships, three as captain, two Norm Smith Medals, two All-Australian selections, two Peter Crimmins Medals, and the evergreen title of No.1 draft pick in arguably the best draft class in history.
There’s no question; tears will be shed when the Hawks first meet the Lions in 2018.
Col Austen – While the ‘40s was a period of little success for the Hawks, Col Austen was a shining light.
The attacking defender tied with South Melbourne’s Ron Clegg for the 1949 Brownlow Medal, but narrowly missed out due to the ‘countback’ system in place. In ’89, Austen was retrospectively awarded his medal, rewriting the history books to make him Hawthorn’s first ever Brownlow winner.
But before the end of his career - 1950 to be exact - the relationship between Austen and the club had soured. The star defender and outgoing coach Alec Albiston were on the wrong side of a board decision, and Austen was cleared to continue his career at Richmond, where he won two premierships as captain/coach of the Tigers’ reserves side.
Austen finished his playing days with Box Hill in the VFA, and the ‘Col Austen Trophy’ is now awarded to Box Hill’s best and fairest player each season, in recognition of their gutsy former captain/coach.
Paul Abbott – Abbott was one of the lucky few who got to experience the joys of being a Hawthorn player during the electrifying 80s. Anywhere on the ground you needed him, the 195cm utility would go; he spent time down back, in the ruck, and up forward, most notably kicking six goals during the Hawks’ 1988 grand final victory.
After 85 games, two premierships and a badly broken leg, Abbott crossed to Fitzroy at the end of 1991, where he gave a solid two years of service before calling time.
Halfback line
Brad Scott – Did you know that one of Brisbane’s famous Scott brothers was actually drafted to the Hawks?
In fact, Brad Scott was drafted to Hawthorn twice. First, with Pick 60 in 1994, before being delisted without playing a game. Next, with Pick 85 in 1996 – this time with more success.
Scott made his AFL debut in Round 1, 1997 and played all 22 games for the season.
But, the start of 1998 saw Scott fly north to play alongside his twin brother, and so began a stellar career for the Lions that included back-to-back premierships in 2001 and 2002. Though injury prevented Scott from completing the premiership hat-trick with his teammates, the fearless defender is still considered one of the standout contributors from Brisbane’s three-peat era.
Jordan Lewis – A fierce midfielder/defender, Lewis epitomised the term ‘the unsociable Hawks’ – and fans loved him for it.
Lewis’ best season in the brown and gold came in 2014, when he capped off his campaign with a Peter Crimmins Medal, an All-Australian selection and a premiership. He was also one of only six men to play part in each of the 2008, ’13, ’14 and ’15 premierships.
Thus, it shocked fans when, at the end of 2016, Lewis was traded to Melbourne for Pick 48.
He was immediately named in the Dees’ leadership group, and helped the young side toward its best ladder finish in 10 seasons, with Lewis narrowly missing out on his eighth straight finals campaign by just .5 of a percent.
Barry Rowlings – When you hear the phrase, ‘the one that got away’, those who recall the 70s may find their mind drifting back to a time when a man named Barry Rowlings was running around in the Hawks’ engine room. Fiery, quick, and full of nerve, Rowlings quickly became a pivotal contributor in the brown and gold, playing 72 games with the club, including the 1976 premiership.
However, after a serious injury, the Hawks’ brain trust believed Rowlings’ best football was past him, and they delisted him at the end of the ’78 season.
This decision turned out to be a rare misjudgement by the Hawks. Richmond swooped, and Rowlings reignited his career with a further eight seasons, 152 games, a best and fairest award, a grand final victory, and two years as captain in the yellow and black.
Centre
Rodney Eade – A winger known for his blistering pace and ability to break the lines, Rodney Eade’s first taste of premiership success came in his debut season (1976). In fact, across his 12 seasons and 229 games at the Hawks, Eade averaged a premiership every three years.
After an abundance of success in the brown and gold, Eade switched colours to join the newly formed Brisbane Bears. He was unable to regain the superb form of his early years, and retired after a further 30 games.
Eade is currently ranked ninth of all time for the most combined games as player or coach (636).
Josh P. Kennedy – The Kennedy name is royalty at Hawthorn. John Kennedy Snr played 164 games in the brown and gold before switching to coaching and adding a further 299 (a figure surpassed only by Alastair Clarkson). His son, John Kennedy Jnr followed in step, playing 241 games for the Hawks, including four premierships.
So, when Josh Kennedy came to the club in 2006, Hawks’ fans were justifiably excited. But after just 13 games across two seasons and more opportunity on the table with the Swans, the Hawks and the youngest of the Kennedy clan parted ways.
The decision seems to have paid off for both parties; while the Hawks went on to win back-to-back-to-back premierships, Kennedy tasted grand final success against his former teammates in 2012, and has also been named in the All-Australian team on three separate occasions (2012, ’15, ’16).
Terry Wallace – You don’t earn the nickname ‘Plough’ for being timid. Terry Wallace was as tough a midfielder as they come, regularly seen crashing through packs and willing himself to the football. His nine seasons at the Hawks were successful – to say the least – with 174 games, three premierships and two Peter Crimmins Trophies.
After contractual issues, Wallace headed to Richmond but was unable to find his feet, managing just 11 games amid injury. Wallace found himself at Footscray the following year, and ‘Plough’ was back to business, winning back-to-back best and fairest awards, and earning himself an All-Australian selection in 1988.
Half forward line
Paul Hudson – Son of Hawthorn legend Peter, Paul Hudson was right at home in the brown and gold.
In his seven years at the club, Hudson kicked 264 goals at an average of 38 a season, with his best output coming in the premiership year of ’91, when he booted 62 majors.
At the end of 1996 (a particularly dark year for the club), Hudson was traded to the Western Bulldogs where he rekindled career-best form and earned his maiden All-Australian selection just two years later.
Dermott Brereton – The strawberry blonde curly-haired teen burst onto the scene in 1982, kicking five goals on debut – in a final. The day ‘The Kid’ was born.
Brereton was a crucial member of the ’83, ’86, ’88, ’89 and ’91 premiership teams, dominating sides with his overhead marking, accurate goal kicking and punishing tactics (remember his three-quarter time Essendon huddle ambush?!).
At the end of 1992, injury forced Brereton into a brief retirement, before he returned to line up with the struggling Swans. He failed to make an impression, playing just seven games amid suspension, and was delisted after a single season. One last roll of the dice saw a 31-year-old Brereton picked up in the draft by Collingwood, and he added a further 15 games and 30 goals before finally calling time on his incredible career.
Gary Ablett Snr – That’s right – THE Gary Ablett Snr started out in the brown and gold. Yep, the Ablett dynasty could have potentially been synonymous with Hawthorn.
But it wasn’t to be. After just six games as a Hawk, Ablett, who was raised in Drouin, wasn’t coping with city life and regularly missed training sessions, forcing Coach Alan Jeans to part ways with the promising forward.
But, the Cats convinced Ablett to give VFL life another go in their rural city, and, after a $60,000 transfer payout, the rest is history.
Four All-Australian selections, three Coleman medals, a Mark of the Century award and selection in the AFL Team of the Century. We could go on – but we’re sure you get the gist.
Forward
Tony Hall – SANFL royalty, Hall crossed the border to join the VFL in 1988. It was a dream start for the prized recruit, winning his first flag, coming fourth in the Brownlow count and receiving an All-Australian selection during his debut season.
While a serious knee injury kept him out of the 1989 premiership side, Hall returned to form to win his second grand final in 1991.
In 1993, the forward returned home to Adelaide to join the recently formed Crows, managing two seasons and 17 games before hanging up the boots.
Lance Franklin – Does this man need any introduction? All those over the age of five would be familiar with the story of Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin. Drafted to the Hawks with Pick 5 in the 2004 National Draft, Franklin quickly became a household name due to his powerful presence and freakish ability to find the goals.
He was a member of Hawthorn’s 2008 and 2013 premiership sides, before succumbing to the lure of free agency and joining the Swans.
During his career, Franklin has earned seven All-Australian selections (three at Sydney, four at Hawthorn), four Coleman medals (two at each), two Goal of the Year awards (one at each) and has led his club’s goal kicking on 10 occasions (four at Sydney, six at Hawthorn).
Alec Albiston – During a particularly gloomy period for the Mayblooms, Albiston was a luminary.
Traditionally a rover, Albiston was also known for his ability to slip forward and kick goals – booting 383 in his 170 games at Hawthorn between 1932-1949. He is the first ever Hawthorn player to kick 10 goals in a single match.
Albiston won two club best and fairest awards, and was named captain/coach of the club in 1947. But, at the end of ’49, a messy internal split occurred, and Albiston was replaced by Bob McCaskill (coach) and Peter Curran (captain).
Albiston left the club and headed for North Melbourne, where he added seven more games to his tally before calling time on an inspiring career at the end of 1950.
Followers
Greg Dear – Standing at 198cm tall, Greg Dear was a somewhat underrated ruckman who played a key role in three grand final victories (1986, 1988 and 1989).
Dear was a permanent fixture in the Hawthorn side from 1986 onwards, playing an understated role in the star-studded midfield. Despite playing in the same era as the illustrious Madden, his brother Justin and other fine big men, Dear represented Victoria in State-of-Origin, a testament to his standing in the game.
In 1993 Dear was a victim of a cash squeeze at the Hawks, and the ruckman made his way to the Tigers, where he managed a further 53 games before retiring at the end of 1996.
Sam Mitchell – Overlooked in the 2000 National Draft. Slipped through to No.36 in the 2001 National Draft. Has there ever been a bigger draft bargain than Sam Mitchell?
Four premierships, five Peter Crimmins Medals, three All-Australian selections, a Rising Star and a Brownlow – there is little that Sam Mitchell failed to achieve during his 15 seasons in the brown and gold.
During the 2016 trade period, the football world was blindsided when Mitchell and the club decided to amicably part ways, and the iconic blonde-haired number five flew west to finish his career as an Eagle. After a single season, Mitchell called time on his decorated 329-game career, and remains universally loved by Hawks and Eagles fans alike.
Darren Jarman – Adelaide born and raised, Jarman opted to cross the border in 1990 to begin his AFL journey at Hawthorn. His first season was a success, with the goal-kicking mid averaging 18 disposals and booting 41 goals. Despite a quiet performance on grand final day, Jarman received his first premiership medallion in 1991.
After adding two All-Australian selections and a Peter Crimmins Medal, Jarman sought a trade back to his home state in 1995, and was traded as part of a three-way deal that saw Paul Salmon land at Waverley.
His first year at the Crows saw Jarman amassed over 400 disposals and kicked 46 goals, on his way to earning another All-Australian selection.
His second and third years at the Crows saw Jarman collect his second and third premiership medallions.
Interchange
Geoff Ablett – Geoff Ablett too commenced his career with the Hawks, and spent considerably longer at Waverley than younger brother Gary.
Ablett put together 202 games in the brown and gold while playing on the wing, and was known for his blistering pace and accurate kicking.
After two premierships with the Hawks (1976, 1978), Ablett was cleared to continue his career at Richmond. He managed 16 games across two seasons with the Tigers, before shifting to Moorabbin for a final year with the Saints.
Kevin Heath – Recruited to the Hawks in 1968, the 18-year-old quickly made an impression in the brown and gold. His pinnacle performance came in 1971, when he was one of the best performers in Hawthorn’s drought-breaking premiership.
After 140 matches, the club couldn’t match Heath’s financial requests, and he was traded to the Blues at the end of the ’75 season.
Following four seasons as a reliable backman for the Blues, Heath called time on his 218-game career.
Ken Judge – Judge made a splash in his first season at Waverley, winning the Hawks’ best First Year Player award and contributing 14 disposals and two goals on grand final day to help his side toward the 1983 premiership.
After consecutive strong displays in the ’84 and ’85 losing grand finals, Judge struggled to hold his spot and was traded to the Brisbane Bears for the club’s inaugural season, where he managed 17 games before calling time.
Bradley Hill – This one should be fresh in your memory. Drafted to the Hawks in 2011, Hill was a lively winger who brought pace and finesse throughout the club’s ‘three-peat’ era.
In 2016, he became homesick and, at the end of the season, requested a trade back to his home state of WA to play alongside brother Stephen.
The change of scenery seemingly reinvigorated the 24-year-old, who went on to have a career-best season with the Dockers and win their best and fairest award in his first year at the club.
Team line up
B: Luke Hodge, Col Austen, Paul Abbott
HB: Brad Scott, Jordan Lewis, Barry Rowlings,
C: Rodney Eade, Josh P. Kennedy, Terry Wallace
HF: Paul Hudson, Dermott Brereton, Gary Ablett Snr
F:, Tony Hall, Lance Franklin, Alec Albiston
Foll: Greg Dear, Sam Mitchell, Darren Jarman
Int: Geoff Ablett, Ken Judge, Kevin Heath, Bradley Hill
