Although the club was formed in 1902, Hawthorn didn’t make it to the VFL until 1925 and consequently did not have the same number of nicknames as the original teams.
However, their best 16 can match it with anyone.
16. ‘Froggy’
Roy Rodda (1933) was recruited to Hawthorn from Shepparton where his father was a well known painter and decorator. Rodda later served in the Australian Army during World War II.
15. ‘Butch’
Albert Prior’s (1941) occupation as a local butcher led to his nickname ‘Butch’. A canny forward who scored plenty of goals in a barren era at Hawthorn, he often turned up at training in a blood stained aapron.
14. ‘Darky’
Ron Nalder (1959) was recruited from Maryborough. Although mainly a centreman, Nalder also spent time across half forward and half back. He was one of Hawthorn’s two reserves in their 1961 premiership and played in a losing grand final in 1963.
13. ‘Bomber’
John C. Hendrie was a stylish half-forward flanker whose raking leftfoot kicks used to ‘bomb’ the ball forward and launch countless attacks.
12. ‘Buster’
Buster Brown is a comic strip character created in 1902 that has survived the test of time, including it seems being used as a nickname for Richard Browne (1966) from University Blacks.
11. ‘Bones’
It wasn’t so much as his bones that caused the trouble but his soft tissue injuries. John O’Mahoney suffeered a punctured lung in 1957 and spent three months in hospital, missing Hawthorn’s first ever finals appearance.
10. ‘Mort’
Graham Arthur will always be remembered as Hawthorn’sfirst VFL premiership captain. His nickname ‘Mort’ was bestowed by classmates at Bendigo’s Marist Brothers College and was prompted by the poem ‘Morte d’Arthur’.
9. ‘Tiny’
Len J. Mills (1929), an ex South Australian who – at 6’ 8’ was the tallest player ever to appear in League football when he debuted at 31 years of age, so naturally the supporters dubbed him ‘Tiny’!
8. ‘Dipper’
Robert Dipierdomenico (1975) captured the hearts of the Hawthorn faithful as a tall, tough and aggressive winger. He tied with Swan Greg Williams for the 1986 Brownlow Medal and played in 5 premierships.
Dipierdomenico was a big game player and superbly in the 1989 Grand Final when he played on with a punctured lung.
7. ‘The Kid’
Dermott Brereton (1982) was one of the most exciting players of his era. His flamboyance won fans and infuriated rivals. His nickname originated from an early game in the under 19s when he was on the bench and coach Des Meagher berated a player ans said he would replace him with ‘the kid over there’.
6. ‘Buddy’
The talented and athletic Lance Franklin (2005) is regarded as the greatest forward of his generation.
Were Franklin and Roughead the greatest pairing ever? (Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Franklin has kicked 995 goals, the most of any current player and the sixth-most in VFL/AFL history, and has been his clubs’ leading goal kicker on twelve occasions. He has won four Coleman Medals.
5. ‘Delicate Des’
Des Dickson was anything but delicate. A feared and ferocious ruckman/defender he was universally regarded as one of the toughest players of his era.
4. ‘Plough’
Terry Wallace (1978). His nickname of ‘Plough’ was an apt way to describe his football style. Wallace burrowed into packs and although his play lacked glamour he was the best centreman of his era.
3. ‘Stainless’
Although Kelvin Steel didn’t make much impression on the football world, I just loved his nickname!
2. ‘Silk’
The recently retired Shaun Burgoyne is considered by many to be the greatest indigenous footballer of all time with over 400 games and more than 300 goals to his credit.
1. ‘Lethal’
Squat, short legged and barrel chested Leigh R Matthews ranks as one of the League all time greats. He played the game in a totally fearless manner.
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Chief certainly gave David King the details he wanted!
Will it get the Hawks ready for a crucial clash with North Melbourne?
Round 5 of the AFL provided plenty of action, from big scorelines to upset wins and pressure starting to build on some clubs and coaches already.
Collingwood premiership defender Nathan Murphy has been forced into a premature and immediate AFL retirement through concussion to prioritise a "full and healthy life"…
Geelong has been crafty and creative in its list management and has quietly assembled a very exciting young group of midfielders and half-forwards.
Brisbane co-captain Lachie Neale will be looking to lead his team to a victory against Melbourne in what will be his 250th AFL game.
