Hawthorn Football Club is deeply saddened by the passing of club Legend and inaugural Premiership Captain Graham Arthur.
Graham embodied the Hawthorn Football Club’s values and was renowned for his ability to stand up in times of need - the bigger the occasion the better Graham played.
However, his contribution to the brown and gold runs much deeper than his on field achievements, with Graham going on to work in both the club’s marketing department and Social Club following his playing and coaching career.
Hawthorn President Hon Jeff Kennett AC said:
“We are deeply saddened to have lost a man of such immense character as Graham,” said Kennett.
“Graham was John Kennedy Snr’s lead commando and the type of clubman who would inspire his teammates through example and trust.
“All those who have been lucky enough to don the brown and gold in more recent years have benefitted from the culture of success that Graham helped sew into Hawthorn’s fabric.
“Graham was a Hawthorn person through and through and he will always live on within our club.
“I extend the club’s and my condolences to Graham’s family at this difficult time.”
The Board of Directors, Past Players, Life Members and Officials Association, management, staff and players of Hawthorn Football Club extend their sincerest condolences to Graham’s wife Mary, daughters Camille, Marise, Suzanne, Elizabeth, Jenny, Carolyn and their extended family and friends.
Graham Arthur was a three-time best and fairest winner and forever etched in the history books as Hawthorn’s inaugural premiership captain. He played 232 games in a career that spanned 13 years and coached the club between 1964-1965.
Graham was a Hawthorn Hall of Fame inductee in 2003, before being elevated to Legend status in 2005. He is a member of the AFL Hall of Fame and Captain of Hawthorn’s Team of the Century.
He will be sorely missed by everyone at the Hawthorn Football Club.
Vale, Graham.
Graham Arthur meant so much to Hawthorn, and the above piece captured in 2018 shows just how much Hawthorn meant to him.
