Two Hawks who played in the Club’s inaugural premiership, along with an honorary life trainer and a life member, have been inducted into Hawthorn Football Club’s Hall of Fame at its Season Launch tonight.

1961 premiership players and Hawthorn Team of the Century members Brendan Edwards and Ian Law received their Hall of Fame awards with W. Beau Wallace, who held the position of Head Trainer for 46 years, and Alec Albiston, a two-time Best and Fairest winner at the Club.

As well as celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hawthorn’s first premiership in 1961, the Club also acknowledged its unequalled achievement of ‘5 Decades of Flags’ at tonight’s Launch, which was held at the Regent Theatre. Both milestones will be celebrated throughout 2011.

Ten champions, including Graham Arthur (1961), Peter Knights (1976, 1978, 1983) and Chris Langford (1986, 1988, 1989, 1991) from Hawthorn’s ten premiership sides took part in a presentation to officially launch historical celebrations.

Premiership players Peter Hudson (1971), Ian Bremner (1971, 1976), Russell Greene (1983, 1986, 1988), Gary Buckenara (1983, 1986, 1988, 1989), John Platten (1986, 1988, 1989, 1991) and Sam Mitchell (2008) also represented their premiership sides in the presentation.

The 2011 playing squad was presented with their official jumpers for the season and President Jeff Kennett, Senior Coach Alastair Clarkson and Captain Luke Hodge addressed the audience of over 500 on the season ahead.