Joyce Monk who recently turned 102 years of age and has been a member of the Hawthorn Football Club since 1940 was delighted to receive a birthday present from The Hawks Museum, a copy of the museum’s latest publication Kennedy’s Commandos – The Story of the ’71 Hawks presented to her by one of her favourite currant day players, Will Day.
Will, the grandson of Robert Day who played in the 1971 Premiership made Joyce’s birthday even more special when he showed her his grandfather’s number 12 Premiership Guernsey. Joyce responded vividly recalling many instances from the 1971 Grand Final and then elaborated on the celebrations back at Glenferrie singing the Club Song over and over as the victorious players entered the Social Club.
After having a quick look at the ’71 book Joyce stated for all to hear, ‘This book is great, luv the photos, I recommend this book to all Hawthorn Supporters’. Then added, ‘Young Will should gain lots of inspiration after reading all about his grandfather’s teammates’.
KENNEDY’S COMMANDOS – THE STORY OF THE ’71 HAWKS
1971 was the year of the Hawks. It was a momentous year in every way - one that was capped off by hard work and planning by Coach John Kennedy Snr and the determination and team spirit of the players.
There have been many superlatives written and said about the Club, among them the suggestion that Hawthorn were: “The World Champions!” The Club won 21 out of the 24 games played, the most by any VFL Club in one Season. This included the two tough battles against St Kilda in the Second Semi-Final and the Grand Final to take the Premiership. After winning the VFL Premiership, the Club then defeated SAFL Premiers, North Adelaide, in Adelaide and the following week won our three games in the Knock-out Series in Perth to win the Australian Championship.
The final tally was 28 games for 25 wins and three losses. For the record Peter Crimmins, Kevin Heath, Peter Hudson, Alan Martello and Don Scott played in all 28 games.
Co-written by museum staff, Peter Haby and Rachel Bradshaw with Richard Allsop of Footy Flashback fame, the book totals 164 pages and gives a detailed account of the year. A highlight within the book a number of supporters, were invited to add their memories of that great day in 1971 which are fascinating to read. Many of the photos and memorabilia come from the players personal collections and have seldom been seen.
The book tells us how the team was assembled over a period of seven years, the training program that led to the birth of Kennedy’s Commandos, the home & away season and reaching the ultimate-goal, the Club’s second Premiership. Each player story is told accompanied by numerous photos. Also included are the all-important officials & the coaches. John Kennedy Jnr offers a wonderful insight to his father.
With just on four weeks before the book was to go to print, the museum received the John Kennedy Collection which included photos from the Grand Final. These photos are among the best we had seen during our five-year search and depicted many major moments from the Grand Final. Images of Scott, Keddie, Parkin, Bremner, the final siren celebrations, including one of Hudson with the boot studder Ted Laws in the rooms with adoring fans. A rapid decision was made to include as many as possible in the book.
The book is a limited edition of 400 copies and is now available at the Hawks Museum at $40 and if postage is required, please add $15
Enquires hawksmuseum@hawthornfc.com.au or call 0427 455 723
