This year's Annual Friends of the Hawks Museum Function was held at Waverley with invited guests, the famous backline of the late 80s, Ayres, Langford and Collins who played telling roles in the Club's first back-to-back premierships of 1988 and 1989.
Many of our Friends attending on the day still vividly recall listening to the radio on a Thursday night waiting for the teams to be announced and the confidence we all gained when we heard the announcer read out, starting from the backline, Ayres Langford and Collins. We all knew that the Hawks were in good shape for Saturday's game with our backline ready to resist any forward attack from the opposition. Their names are etched in Hawks folklore as one of our greatest combinations similarly to the now famous ruck combination from the 1970s, Scott, Tuck and Matthews.
Unfortunately fate intervened Andy Collins was a last minute withdrawal due to unforeseen commitments in Adelaide. From the interchange bench, the popular clubman from the 80's, Mr Reliable, Peter Curran was only too happy to join in.
A full house of just on 160 Friends assembled first in the museum to check out the latest acquisitions and the new displays before heading for the gym.
To start proceedings Dennis Day and Helen Greenfield were presented their Glenferrie Gold Life Patrons Certificates in recognition of joining that illustrious group who have made very generous donations to help with the ongoing development the museum. This was followed by the traditional footy food of a pie and sauce washed down with a coke by all as the Friends reflected with passion the excitement of winning the 2013 Premiership.
The Friends applauded with great enthusiasm when our popular MC, Mike Derum, introduced the three guests, Gary Ayres, Chris Langford and Peter Curran. For the next hour and a half Mike lead the proceedings with questions focusing on the highlights of their careers and what was it like playing under the different coaching styles of first Alan Joyce in '88 followed by Allan Jeans '89.
The audience sat riveted in their seats as they heard many unheard stories from behind the scenes, what it was like training back then on Tuesdays and Thursday nights when all the players had a day job and the adventures had of the end of season footy trips.
The comparison between the two Grand Finals was fascinating. The first against Melbourne when the game was over by quarter time with the Hawks on a mission to make up for the loss against Carlton from the previous year's Grand Final. The Hawks won with ease by 96 points with the forwards having a field day with Jason Dunstall 7, Paul Abbott 6 and Dermott Brereton 5 sharing the goals.
You could hear a pin drop as each player gave their interpretations of the gripping final minutes of the epic 1989 Grand Final against Geelong as the Hawks hung on to win by 6 points. There were many a sigh and groan heard from the audience as they relived hearing about the injuries to key players, Brereton, Platten, Tuck and the big Dipper and the effect it was having on the Hawks fortunes. A more positive vibe returned to the audience as they listened to the admiration shown by our special guests towards the younger players, Pritchard, Anderson, Wittman and Madigan as they described their coolness under pressure and holding firm in those final riveting minutes till the relieving sounds of the final siren.
This was followed by a number of questions from the audience that added another dimension to the day. The players enjoyed this direct engagement with the final question directed to Chris Langford. He was asked why he held his guernsey high in what has become known as the Merge Match against Melbourne. His answer left no doubt his deep love of the Hawks. Prior to the game he had spent the day walking around the various shops in Glenferrie Road engaging in conversations with many a fan learning first hand the importance that the Club played in their daily lives. He stated he had a deeper understanding of how much the Club meant to the members and this was his way of showing his support for the survival of Hawthorn.
His guernsy worn that day in one of the most important games in the Club's history is on permanent display at the entrance to the Museum and always arouses great interest with our visitors.
The highly successful day closed with the audience queuing to get autographs and photos taken with their heroes, Gary Ayres, Chris Langford and Peter Curran with both the 1989 and 2013 premiership cups.
A special thanks to the volunteers who helped on the day, Mike Derum, Colin Newton, Karl Jacklin, Wendy-Grace Williams, Dot & Arthur Chisholm, Margaret Ely, Richard Allsop, Bev Allen and Andrew Eyres.
For interested fans of the Brown and Gold wishing to join the Friends of the Hawks Museum please fill out this form or contact the Hawks Museum 9535 3075.
Chris Langford, Garry Ayres and Peter Curran take questions from guests.
