1948 - Year in Review   Written by: Dominic Milesi http://www.hawkheadquarters.com 3/12/2003   The Hawks began 1948 full of hope and confidence, but with a list short on height and big bodies. Alec Albiston knew he would be forced to use players out of position and hope that teamwork would get his side through. The side struggled from the outset, losing its first three matches before finally getting a win on the board against fellow cellar dwellers North Melbourne at Glenferrie. With the aid of a fluky breeze the Hawks slammed on 7.13 in the second term and were never headed. After getting flogged by Fitzroy, the Hawks bounced back with good wins over Geelong and the hapless Saints. But as usual the team flagged mid-season and lost seven consecutive matches including a thriller against the Bulldogs where the difference had been less than a goal at every change. By this stage of the year Glenferrie Oval was a bog, and this assisted Hawthorn to an upset victory over Fitzroy in Round 16. Despite kicking their lowest score of the year, the Hawks held on to win by 3 points after restricting the Gorillas to just 2 goals in the first 3 quarters. The final score of 6.7.43 still remains Hawthorn's 2nd lowest winning score of all time. In a pointer of what was to come in future generations, the good fortunte continued the following week when the Hawks inflicted a one point defeat over the Cats at Kardinia Park. Despite leading by 15 points at the final change it was only the bell that saved Hawthorn. The season ended with a flogging at Punt Road and an embarrassing loss to the wooden spooners St Kilda in front of just 5 000 at Glenferrie Oval. Lack of depth had hurt the Hawks, with four quality players carrying the side for most of the year. War hero Kevin Curran was superb, winning the club champion award as well as the Simpson Medal as best player for Victoria against the Sandgropers. Wally Culpitt was also selected for the state game, whilst mates and leaders Col Austen and Albison finished 2nd and 3rd in the best and fairest. 1948 ended on a sad note with the passing of the great Ernest "Tich" Utting. One of the early legends of Hawthorn, Utting played with the club from its VFA days until 1932, and then spent many years nurturing local talent and recommending them to Hawthorn, as well as coaching three local clubs to premierships. 1948 - The Facts Record: 5-14 Finished: 11 of 12 Highest score: 17.10.112 v Geelong, Round 6 at Glenferrie Oval Lowest score: 6.7.43 v Fitzroy, Round 16 at Glenferrie Oval Greatest winning margin: 37 points, 17.10.112 to Geelong 12.3.75, Round 6 at Glenferrie Oval Greatest losing margin: 62 points, 6.11.47 to Fitzroy 15.19.109, Round 5 at Brunswick Street Longest winning streak: 2, Rounds 16 to 17 Longest losing streak: 7, Rounds 9 to 15 Coach: Alec Albiston Captain: Alec Albiston Club Champion: Kevin Curran Most Brownlow votes: Alec Albiston, 11 Leading goalkicker: Albert Prior, 47 President: Dr Walter Jona Secretary/CEO: Vic Hocking Debutantes Ron Boys George Edwards Bob Fisher John Marr Robert Milgate Clive Philp Ralph Shalless Mel Williams   Printable version     Copyright © 2006 Hawk Headquarters View Disclaimer