On a very cold and wet Saturday afternoon on August 25, 1956, the Hawthorn 2nd 18 entered the playing arena at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Sixty years ago, they were the first Hawks to play a final on the hallowed turf. Although they went into the game as favourites, they were eclipsed by their opponents, Richmond by 27 points.

Newspaper reports of the game claim that Hawthorn in their first appearance in a final, appeared very nervous and it wasn’t until the second half that the team settled and played a stronger brand of football.

At the end of the 2nd 18 home & away season, South Melbourne finished on top, with Melbourne second, Hawthorn third on percentage, and Richmond fourth. Both Hawthorn and Richmond had 12 wins, yet the Hawks had a much stronger percent of 134.5 compared to Richmond 111.7. In Hawthorn’s last game prior to their historical first final they had a resounding win over Fitzroy by 110 points, 22.13.145 to Fitzroy 5.5.35.

The Hawks Museum, annual tribute, “They made the Brown and Gold” honours the achievement of the 1956, 2nd 18 who represented the Club in its first finals appearance on the MCG, 60 years ago.

Five members of the team visited the museum recently to view their tribute. Peter Kanis, the captain who has the distinction of being the first player to lead the Hawks onto the MCG in a Final was joined by his vice captain, Maurie Considine and fellow teammates, Brian Falconer, Ian Pearson, Gary Young.

A striking feature with these five former players that when they retired they all since kept strong links with the Club.

As a player Gary Young is the most decorated having played in the Club’s first 2nd 18 Premiership in 1958 then gaining Hawthorn immortality as a member of the Club’s first senior premiership in 1961. Young has also been a valued member of the Past Players and Officials Association and in 1992 became a foundation member of the Club’s Historical Committee, Hawks Forever.

Brian Falconer was a driving force behind Operation Payback with his efforts in directing the newly formed membership committee in 1997 laying the ground work for today’s outstanding membership base. He currently serves on the Life Members Committee and recently became a Life Patron of the Hawks Museum joining his family as members of the Glenferrie Gold.

Peter Kanis, Maurie Considine and Ian Pearson with their deep affection for the Club’s traditions and history have all assisted for many years with the Past Players, the Hawks Museum and have attended many in-house functions lead by Graham Arthur and his Happy Hawka’s crew.

Ian Pearson has donated significant items of Hawthorn memorabilia from his late brother Neil Pearson’s collection offered the following reflections of the week leading up to the 2nd 18’s first final.

After the big win against Fitzroy in the last game of the season, the players were treated for the first time, a swim at the Middle Park Sea baths on the Sunday morning with the idea that it would freshen them up. However, upon reflection a number of the players thought that this may not have been the best of ideas as the bumps and bruised sustained during the season came to the surface making their bodies unreceptive to the vigour’s of the first semi final.

Another surprise awaited the team, the size of the number of supporters that came to watch them train on the Tuesday and Thursday nights, a new experience to all with the thought that they may have trained too hard to impress the crowd thus adding to their fatigue.

Pie nights were the go in the 1950s and the Training Staff put on a special night after Thursday’s training prior to the team being announced. Many a player over-indulged - thus not an ideal preparation for the game on Saturday. Come Friday night, the heavens opened in Melbourne and the downpour turned the MCG into very muddy bog giving thought that the 2nds Semi-Final may have to be moved to another ground but at the last moment this idea did not go ahead.

Again in hindsight it was thought that the team was not prepared as well as it should and combined with a bad case of the nerves they did not live up to the expectations of being named favourites. Thus Hawthorn was beaten in the Club’s first Finals appearance on the MCG, final scores, Richmond 9.12.66 d Hawthorn 5.9.39. The Hawks best players were, O’Brien, Metcalfe, Considine, Hancock, Hughes and Pearson, with the goal kickers being, Douglas 2, Hancock 1, Northcote 1 and Metcalfe 1.

Members of the 1956 2nd 18 First Semi final team admire their tribute in the Hawks Museum.
Back Row: Ian Pearson, Garry Young, Brian Falconer
Seated: Maurie Considine (vice-captain) and Peter Kanis (captain)

The 1956 2nd 18 team

Backs: Peter Kanis, Ian Hinks, Peter Collins
Half-backs: Alf Hughes, Noel Voigt, Maurie Considine
Centres: Brian Falconer, Phil O’Brien, Rod Horricks
Half-forwards: Bryan Waters, Geoff Howells, Barry Metcalfe
Forwards: Don Douglas, Garry Young, Kevin Northcote
Followers: Peter Hancock, Davey
Rover: Ian Pearson
Reserves: George Barton, Bill Elsworth

Members of this illustrious team from will be guests at the forth coming Glenferrie Gold Life Patrons of the Hawks Museum Annual Function to celebrate their 60th anniversary.