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Sport Nation
Hawthorn GOATs: 100 greats in 100 years
Ashley Browne • May 1st, 2025 1:48 pm
There have been plenty of superstars who have passed through the doors of Glenferrie Oval and Waverley Park who have played their part in Hawthorn’s century of League football that has been a spectacular success by any measurement.
Listing the top 100 Hawthorn players in that time would be challenging enough, but AFL Record editor (and Hawthorn tragic) ASHLEY BROWNE has taken it a step further and has thrown in the coaches, support staff and officials whose talent and determination matched that of the players and helped lift the Hawks out of the doldrums and into the stratosphere it has occupied for much of those 100 years.
We pick 10 of the biggest names on that list (and where they have been ranked) which you can read in its entirety in this week’s edition of the AFL Record.
2. Leigh Matthews
Without question, Hawthorn’s greatest ever player with eight best and fairests, four flags (one as captain), Legend status in the Australian Football Hall of Fame and countless other honours. One of the best players not to win a Brownlow Medal, although it is doubtful he cared for that sort of accolade. Matthews was a winner, able to turn games with devastating midfield bursts, bags of goals and sometimes just his intimidating presence. He gave as good as he got. Short and squat, he made the Hawks walk taller every time he played.
10. Graham Arthur
A brilliant half-forward from Bendigo who won the best and fairest in his first season, he brought teammates into the game with his clever use of handball. Was the natural choice to succeed Kennedy and in 1961 became Hawthorn’s first premiership skipper. Was captain-coach for a time and after a stint in the country, returned to Hawthorn in various administrative roles and was a bridge between the old Hawthorn and the new version.
17. Shane Crawford
Power athlete and one of the best runners in the game at the turn of the century, winning the 1999 Brownlow Medal. Stayed loyal to the Hawks and was rewarded with a flag in 2008. Hugely popular with fans.
20. Lance Franklin
Some fans will never forgive or forget his mid-career defection to Sydney at the end of the 2013 season but what a star he was at the Hawks through nine years and two flags. An extraordinary athlete, who could forget his 113-goal season in 2008 or his 13 goals against North Melbourne in 2012?
26. John Peck
Arguably the first superstar to wear the brown and gold, an eight-time League-leading goalkicker and the spearhead of the 1961 premiership team. Created a legacy for those wearing the No. 23.
32. Jarryd Roughead
A beloved four-time premiership player, dual All-Australian and the 2013 Coleman medallist. His comeback in 2017 after his cancer battle buoyed everyone in the game. Now hugely influential in list management at the Hawks.
36. Jeff Kennett
Former Victorian Premier who served two terms as Hawk president. His legacy was Tasmania as well as the tough call to replace Clarkson as coach with Mitchell.
42. Cyril Rioli
The four-time premiership small forward who didn’t need many touches to destroy the opposition. To quote Bruce McAvaney, he was a “special” footballer.
61. Andrew Russell
Worked near miracles with the likes of Shane Crawford, Stuart Dew, Max Bailey, Cyril Rioli and Shaun Burgoyne as the club’s high-performance manager through four flags.
78. Bec Goddard
The Hawks missed the boat when AFLW was created, but securing Adelaide’s 2017 premiership coach first as VFL coach and then as maiden AFLW coach gave the program immediate credibility.
Buy your edition of the AFL Record at all matches this wekend.
