All Hawk fans know the importance of 1961, the year the Hawks won its first premiership and came of age in the VFL/AFL. The players who took the field that day will be remembered forever. All premierships players are feted with annual or regular reunions, featured in commemorative publications, DVDs or special memorabilia produced to celebrate their lasting achievements.
Unfortunately there are no prizes handed out for teams that are runners up in Grand Finals. In the eyes of many to come second in the VFL/AFL carries no relevance and considered a lost opportunity. Hawthorn’s second grand final appearance was against Geelong in 1963.
After a 50-year break the team of 1963 met again for the first time at the recent Hawka’s Luncheon at Box Hill. Club stalwart and ’61 star, Garry Young together with his captain Graham Arthur felt that it was long over due in reuniting the ’63 team. They took it upon themselves to bring their teammates of the Hawks second Grand Final team together.
In attendance was Charlie Abbott, Ken Beck, Graham Cooper, brothers, Phil and Sted Hay, David Parkin, Allan Woodley, Garry Young, Colin Youren, Coach, John Kennedy Snr and Chairman of selectors, Jack McLeod. Apologies were received from David Albiston, Kevin Connell, Jack Cunningham, Des Dickson, Ian Law, Peter Lyon, Ron Nalder, and Rod Olsson. Former players, Trevor Randall (1960) Neil Ferguson (1964-70) and Gene Chiron (1968-73) were also made welcome.
The ever-popular Mike Derum compared the proceedings with fascinating interviews with the players. Garry Young made mention of a special highlights DVD from film from the drawn game against Geelong that featured passages of play of each of the players in an attendance. The players present were delighted to receive a copy each. A number of the players when interviewed made tributes to the deceased players, Kevin Coverdale, John Fisher, Ian Mort and John Peck.
Perhaps the highlight of the afternoon for the general audience was to watch the player’s reactions when their coach John Kennedy took the microphone. They hung on each word uttered from Kennedy with him stressing how good to be to see his 1963 team together again and how proud he was in recalling their efforts 50 years ago.
From the highs of 1961, 1962 was a lost season and the Hawks were determined to make amends and prove that its first premiership win wasn’t some flash in the pan. Come 1963 the Hawks were fit, fast and hungry again and looking particularly good after regaining the services of Brendan Edwards – best afield in the 1961 Grand Final whose retirement in 1962 was a reason behind the Hawk’s slide down the ladder.
The Hawks and the Cats met four times in 1963, with Geelong winning on three occasions and the other resulting in a draw. Try as they might, the Hawks found the Cats just beyond their grasp.
Round 7 at Kardinia Park was a hard fought draw with Sted Hay scoring the last goal of the day. Round 18, the last game of the season at Glenferrie with John Peck and Delicate Des Dickson out suspended the Cats won by three gaols.
In the Second Semi Hawthorn after a tight first half went down again to Geelong, this time 19 points. The Hawks then faced Melbourne in the Preliminary Final. Strengthened by the return of John Peck the Hawks earn the right to tackle Geelong again by defeating the Demons by 9 points.
The Hawks lead by 3 points at quarter-time in the Grand Final and managed to stay within striking distance till three quarter time trailing by 10 points. The Cats broke free with Polly Farmer dominating in the final term kicking 6 goals to the Hawks nil to win by 49 points.
Hawks 1963 Grand Final team
B: David Parkin, Phil Hay, Graham Cooper
HB: Sted Hay, Garry Young, Cam McPherson
C: John Fisher, Ron Nalder, Colin Youren
HF: Graham Arthur (C), Kevin Coverdale, Ian Mort
F: Rod Olsson, John Peck, David Albiston
R: Ken Beck, Allan Woodley, Ian Law
Reserves: Peter Lyon, Kevin Connell
Emergencies: Jack Cunningham, Alan Joyce, Kevin Woodward
Coach: John Kennedy Snr
Final score
Geelong 3.3. 7.10. 9.13. 15.19.109
Hawthorn 3.6. 5.6. 8.9. 8.12.60
Best: Geelong - Farmer, Devine, Scott, Goggin, Walker, Wooller
Hawthorn - Arthur, Nalder, Coverdale, Mort, Young, Fisher, Peck
Goals: Geelong – Wooller 3, Hynes 3, Yeates 2, Goggin 2, Rice 2, A Lord 2, Wade
Hawthorn – Peck 3, Woodley, Law, Coverdale, Mort, Fisher
Umpire: J. Crouch
Attendance: 101,209
