When a past player visits the museum, it takes on another life. If there are any other visitors present, they are about to experience a special treat.  In most instances the former player takes on a role of a tour guide. The former players generally gravitate first to the team photo wall identifying former teammates, telling stories of how they played in certain games whether won or lost and if they know where and what these teammates are doing now.

Former players who played in a Grand Final spend time viewing the Premiership Cabinet. To the visitor fortunate enough be in attendance they get to hear an insider’s view on what it took to win on that big day when they played and how they may of, celebrated. Then there is the opportunity of having a photo taken with the former player and perhaps an autograph or two.

Two recent players who happened to visit at the same time was Geoff Ablett (1973-1982) who played 202 games, kicked 135 goals, and played in the 1976 and 1978 Premierships. Ablett was known initially as a long-kicking centreman but then as a free-flowing winger, known to all as the “Racehorse”, due to his power running.  He was one of the fastest players in the league during his era, winning the footballer’s Grand Final sprint three years in a row.

The second player was Ian Pearson who played five games and kicked two goals in 1956. Pearson was also a member of the 2^nd Eighteen team that played in the Hawthorn’s first finals appearance on the MCG in 1956. His older brother Neil (1945-1954) played 133 games kicking 44 goals and played for Victoria eight times.  Both brothers have been significant donors of memorabilia to the Club’s Collection with Neil being the first former player to donate a trophy in 1993. Whilst Ian was visiting, he donated two impressive framed, photos featuring his brother when he represented Victoria.

Both Ablett and Pearson enjoyed viewing the Significant Guernsey collection on display. Ablett was more than happy to see one of his guernseys included in this display. He wore number 2 which he is extremely proud of.  He explained why to the other visitors present that the following players played in Premierships wearing the number 2 - Graham Arthur (1961), Bob Keddie (1971), Geoff Ablett (1976, 1978), Chris Mew (1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991) and Jarryd Roughead (2008, 2013, 2014, 2015).  Thus, making number 2 perhaps Hawthorn’s most revered guernsey number.

Russell Morris had visited the museum some weeks earlier to donate the boots he wore in the 1986 Premiership along with his track suit top when he represented NSW in a game against Victoria.  Morris (1984-1990) played 93 games and kicked 52 goals.  A talented all-rounder, he played many outstanding games for the Hawks, either at centre half-back or centre half-forward. Morris wandered around the museum passing on his sometime hilarious memories of former teammates such as Dipper, Dermie, Platts, Tucky and his coach Allan Jeans.