The scariest holiday of the year is fast approaching and we want to celebrate…
For Hawks Halloween, we delve into the “scariest” players in Hawthorn history.
Which players were the most brutal on the pitch? Who often went to court? Who spent the most time on the sidelines after being suspended?
Fred Rutley, who received an 89-match ban in 1925, and Bill Burn, who received a 46-match ban in 1906, top the list of harshest conduct bans in AFL history. However, looking at Hawthorn’s history, the Hawks are nowhere near these tough guys, but still we’ve compiled a list of who we believe are the most “intimidating” players we’ve ever met (and of course – we haven’t). sorry for any of the below behavior!).
1. Dermott Brereton
First, we need to discuss Dermott Brereton’s aggression. Not only was he one of the most influential and talented players in Hawks history, he also built a reputation as one of the toughest players of all time.
Brereton still holds the record for most games missed due to suspension by a Hawthorn player. Probably his most infamous moment was when Brereton was playing for Sydney and he *accidentally* stepped on the head of his former Hawthorn teammate Rayden Tallis. Phew. Talk about scary stuff.
Number of games suspended: 39 (23*)
Number of payments: 17 (14*)
2. Robert (Dipper) DiPierdomenico
The final (1989) was one of the most brutal finals in history and is an excellent example of Dipper’s strength and tenacity. He played the entire game but was rushed to the hospital after the final siren and was in intensive care with a punctured lung. As bad as the story was, recovering in a hospital bed, Dipper was then sidelined for five weeks after elbowing Garry Hocking during a match. Yes.
Number of games suspended: 18*
Number of payments: 9*
3. Campbell Brown
Campbell Brown was the epitome of aggression on the field during his 11 years of football. In total, he spent 29 games on the sidelines and 15 games playing for the Hawks. Brown’s most famous stop in the brown and gold was during the infamous “Line in the Sand” scrimmage in 2004, when 18 players were on the field. During the prayer, Brown punched Jason Winderlich and received a four-game suspension.
Number of games suspended: 29 (15*)
Number of payments: 14 (10*)
4. Luke Hodge
“The General” may have been one of the most respected players of his time, but he was also known as a regular opponent on the court and spends a lot of time on the court.
2015 was a big year for Luke Hodge. He was banned for three weeks after being elbowed in the jaw by Andrew Swallow. Later that season, he received another two-week suspension for a collision with Chad Wingard.
Number of games suspended: 10*
Number of payments: 19 (18*)
5. Don Scott
Don Scott was an aggressive hitter who frequented the field during his 300-hit career.
In the fourteen years he spent in the brown and gold, Scott was drafted 15 times, but fortunately only managed to miss 11 games. 1972 and 1973 were his most dangerous years when he spent four weeks during two separate occasions for striking the opposition.
Number of games suspended: 11*
Number of payments: 11*
*Chalk matches only.
Bec Goddard and Jas Fleming | press conference
Bec Goddard and Jas Fleming speak to the press after Hawthorn’s hard-fought clash against the Tigers on Saturday.
Goddard and Gowers | press conference
Bec and Andy speak to the press ahead of Friday’s game against the Tigers in Cairns
Bodey and Ashmore | press conference
Greta and Kaitlyn address the media ahead of their first AFLW match against the Tigers in Cairns.
