He enjoyed one of his best seasons with many outstanding games in defense. It took three years of persistent effort for the Hawks to finally persuade Mort to sign up. Considered by many of the playing group that he coached as the person along with his wife as the driving force responsible for creating and forging the values for which Hawthorn, the Family Club became renowned. 1962 was a difficult year for all at Hawthorn with the team slipping to ninth on the ladder. 1906, Died February 11, 1975Recruited: Kalgoorlie FC, Western AustraliaPlayed: 1926 - 1938Debut Order: 40First game: Round 1, 1926Last game: Round 9, 1938Guernsey: 19Games: 200Goals: 230Most Consistent Player: 1933Life Member: 1936Hall of Fame Inductee: 2005VFL / AFL HonoursState Representative 7Ted Pool was the first player to play 200 games for Hawthorn. As with many supporters then, John’s favourite player was Peter Hudson and a message was sent to Bonnie Mort could she purchase a number 26 guernsey from the Club. Mort’s efforts were rewarded by being named at centre half forward for the next game against South Melbourne, which the Hawks won by 11 points. Born: December 20, 1947Recruited: Box Hill FCDebut Order: 574Played: 1967 - 1981First game: Round 5, 1967Final game: Round 22, 1981Guernsey: 23Games: 302Goals: 133Captain: 1976 - 1980Premierships: 1971, 1976, 1978Night Premierships: 1969, 1977Best & Fairest: 19732nd Best & Fairest: 19803rd Best & Fairest: 1977Director: 1996 - 2004Life Member: 1974Team of the Century: 2001Hall of Fame Inductee: 2003VFL / AFL RecordsState Captain: 1978State Representative: 4VFL/AFL Life Member: 1982AFL Hall of Fame: 2001Don Scott was recognised as one of the most fearless ruckmen of his era giving the Hawks tremendous service. John had a very interesting story to tell in how he received Ian Mort’s Guernsey.

He played with apparent disregard for the limelight, leaving all that to his more outgoing teammates. The other guernseys were worn by Graham Arthur (captain), John Peck (vice-captain), Brendan Edwards (best on ground) and fellow team members, John S. Fisher, Les Kaine, John Winneke, Garry Young and Colin Youren. He was the first Hawk to win the Brownlow outright.

In a rugged encounter, the Hawks defeated Melbourne in the Second Semi, Mort played his part with his strength in the packs creating space for his fellow forwards. He won Best First Year player followed by two Best & Fairest Awards and also came runner-up in the ‘B’ Grade Amateur’s Best & Fairest award in 1959. Playing in the back pocket, the nuggety Utting was known for his great anticipation and tenacious attack at the ball. Born: August 15, 1950Recruited: Frankston Peninsula FCPlayed: 1970 - 1984Debut Order: 608First game: Round 21, 1970Last game: Round 22, 1984Games: 300Goals: 21Guernsey: 15Premierships: 1971, 1976, 1978Night Premierships: 1977Best and Fairest: 1979Director: 1996 - 2000Chair Match Committee: 1997 - 1999Assistant Coach: 2000 - 2002Life Member: 1977Team of the Century: 2001Hall of Fame Inductee: 2005VFL / AFL HonoursState Representative: 13. In this game Edwards considered he was on the verge of playing even better football than in 1961, such was his confidence. Son of Tom Ferguson, Captain of Hawthorn when the Club played in the MJFA in 1906, Dr. Sandy Ferguson was recruited by Dr. Jona for the position of Club Medico in 1950. He became an integral member of the all conquering Hawks playing a telling role in the Premierships of 1983, 1986, 1988 and 1989. He would treat all the injured players at his home after the game on a Saturday night at no expense.In a visionary move to promote football and to encourage local recruits, he introduced the under 15’s school boy competition to play curtain raiser matches at Glenferrie in 1935.

Once the 18 round home-and-away season had finished, the 1961 VFL Premiers were determined by the specific format and conventions of the Page–McIntyre system. In the Grand Final, Mort Jnr was on a mission. Reviewing the Grand Final in the Herald, John Craven wrote about Ian Mort, ‘He’ll be playing for his Dad.

Now at the age of 70, he decided that he would like to share it with all the Hawthorn fans who visit the Hawks Museum. His career looked over in 1988 when a heartbeat irregularity sidelined him, but he fought back and was part of a flag side at the end of the season. Ian Mort is the first son of a former Hawthorn player to represent the Club in a Premiership; his father Harry played 7 games on the backline between 1928 and 1929. Something that would be inconceivable in today’s football and despite only training with the team occasionally, he would fly to Melbourne to play. The consummate team player, Arthur could have easily added to his goalkicking tally if he hadn’t handballed to … Born: November 27, 1922- Died March 29, 1992Committee: 1952 - 1979Assistant Treasurer: 1953 - 1958Vice President: 1959 - 1965, 1971 - 1976Treasurer: 1968 - 1979Match Committee - Premiership: 1961Chairman of Social and Fund Raising: 1953 - 1975Life Member: 1959Hall of Fame Inductee: 2015VFL / AFL HonoursThe Jack Titus Award – Services to Football 1978Max Elmer was born in Deloraine, Tasmania and attended Launceston High School.

He was chosen on Thursday to play with St. Kilda (his former club), traded to the Hawks on the Friday and played with his new team that weekend against North Melbourne.

Four Hawks were named, Ian Law rover, Ian Mort half forward, Brendan Edwards 19th man with John Peck named as an emergency. Footscray (Western Bulldogs) v Melbourne Demons. As was the custom then, the VFL competition continued without a break and the Hawks recorded their second win over Melbourne for the season. Born: September 9 1974Recruited: Finley / Assumption CollegeDrafted: Selected at number 13 in 1991 National DraftFirst game: Round 1, 1993Last game: Grand Final, 2008Debut Order: 742Games: 305Goals: 224Guernsey: 9Premiership: 2008Pre-season / Night Premiership: 1999Captain: 1999-2004Club Champion: 1998, 1999, 2002, 20032nd Club Champion: 1995 (equal), 19963rd Club Champion: 2001 (equal), 2005Life Member: 20012015 Hall of Fame InducteeVFL / AFL HonoursBrownlow Medal: 19992nd Brownlow Medal: 2003 (tied with Ben Cousins, WCE & Gavin Wanganeen, PA)All-Australian: 1996, 1998, 1999, 2002International Rules: 1998, 1999, 2002-2003 (captain)Jesaulenko Medal: 1998AFLPA MVP: 1999Rising Star Nominee: 1993VFL/AFL Life Member: 2006A genuine champion of the game, for seventeen years Crawford was the heart and soul and the face of the Club, especially during the turbulent 1990s. Dr. Jona was the longest serving president in the Club’s history. 1961 VFL Grand Final - Hawthorn Hawks v Footscray. Injury robbed him of a premiership in 1971 and the Brownlow Medal in 1976. He was constantly listed in the Best Players in the press reports of the day.Albiston topped the Club’s goal- kicking four times and won two Best & Fairest Awards. Kennon was forced to retire from serving the Club when he sustained a head injury when playing golf in 1931. A great left foot snap for goal during the first quarter helped get the momentum going his team's way. Late in the game, a St Kilda player sent Guy one of those high punts you have to stand under, wide open. The generosity of our members who support the Hawks Museum never ceases to amaze us. Arthur will always be remembered as captain of Hawthorn’s first premiership team in 1961. After 120 games with the Saints he was traded to the Hawks prior to Round 9, 1980.The move made him a more disciplined footballer and, in time, he became one of the game’s most respected players due to his non-stop running capacity either on the wing or as a ruck-rover.

A real favourite with Hawks supporters thanks to his great speed, blonde hair flying, his willingness to take on anyone and he was a great shot on goal.Destined for even greater fame, his career was curtailed by cancer, the illness that would claim his life. Albiston was a fitness fanatic. Born: September 28, 1960Recruited: Warragul FCPlayed: 1978 - 1993Debut Order: 661First game: Round 18, 1978Last game: Elimination Final 1993Guernsey: 7Games: 269Goals: 70Captain: 1992 - 1993Vice-Captain: 1987 - 1991Premierships: 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991Night Premierships: 1985, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992Club Champion: 19862nd Club Champion: 1989Life Member: 1987Team of the Century: 2001Hall of Fame Inductee: 2007VFL / AFL HonoursNorm Smith Medal: 1986, 1988State Captain: 1989State Representative 6All-Australian: 1983, 1986, 1988VFL/AFL Life Member: 1996AFL Hall of Fame: 1999Gary Ayres was one of the toughest, most relentless Hawks, making a name for himself as a solid core defender in the great sides of the 1980s. He returned to the Hawks in 1996 to serve as a Club Director, Chairman of the Match Committee and as a member of the Coaching Staff lead by Peter Schwab, 2000 - 2002. Hawthorn's Brendan Edwards is down in a pack. With the advent of World War 2, Elmer moved to Melbourne to join the RAAF where he met Jack McLeod who was a star rover with Hawthorn.

Life after football saw him appointed to the AFL Commission in 1999. Sadly, he missed a place in the 1961 premiership through injury. He created history to be the first player to win two Norm Smith medals, named best on ground in the 1986 and 1988 premierships. 1961-2008.

The 1961 VFL Premiership team was Hawthorn.

The Hawthorn PP&OA named their room the Beau Wallace Room to honor and respect the lifetime devotion that Wallace offered the Club. In the 37 years that Harry Mort had followed the Hawks, they had won the wooden spoon 9 times and came second last on 11 occasions. With this valuable grounding, Coleman went on to be the most influential and successful Chairman of Selectors in the Club’s history.

Like so many supporters he was another face in the outer who took great pleasure and pride in watching the team each year, win, lose or draw.