Today (23rd September 2011) is the 50th anniversary of Hawthorn’s first premiership. After decades of being the easy beats we were Premiers at last. Nothing else in my life mattered.
My favourite player – the tall, dark, handsome and, above all, Couth, Allan Woodley did not play that day but Bug’s heart-throb, Brendan Edwards was Best on Ground.
I stood up all day long, as we did every Saturday, often on 4 beer cans which made your legs ache and ache. There were few creature comforts for footy fans in those days. I saw Hawthorn’s most recent premiership in 2008 from the privileged position of the Members Reserve of the MCC. That’s social mobility for you – other side of the ground and 2 levels up.
Hawthorn 13.16 (94) d Footscray 7.9 (51)
Coach: John Kennedy
Captain: Graham Arthur
Backs: Reg Poole, Les Kaine, Graham Cooper
Half-backs: Sted Hay, John McArthur, Cam McPherson
Mid-field: Col Youren, Brendan Edwards, John Fisher
Half-forwards: Ian Mort, Garry Young, Morton Browne
Forwards: Malcolm Hill, John Peck, Jack Cunningham
Followers: John Winneke, Graham Arthur, Ian Law
Reserves: Ron Nalder, Phil Hay
These young men in their twenties were more than heroes to me, they were gods, and I would have taken a bullet for any one of them. Most of them lined up to form a guard of honour for the current team at our last home and away match at the MCG this year. They still looked impressive: silver-haired, big and beefy in business suits.
After that first premiership, Hawthorn suffered the anti-climax that often follows a massive build-up and only won 5 matches the next year. But early in the season, before that full horror unfolded, a photographer from the Sun took this picture of my next door neighbour, Kay and me at Glenferrie Oval and it appeared on the front page the next Monday.
Very young for my age (note the teddy), gauche and unsophisticated, it’s hard to believe that within 8 years I was married to a tall(ish), dark, handsome, and above all, Couth, Allan Woodley lookalike (albeit one with 2 left feet and no interest in sport of any kind).
How fortunate I am that all 10 Hawthorn premierships have happened in my lifetime. I know supporters of other teams who are breaking their hearts to experience just one. And one poor woman who has given up on her own behalf but hopes her children may be more fortunate.
Thanks for all the joy and pain Mighty Hawks. Happy Anniversary.
