A change of jumper, a change of coach, a former captain and the best player quitting the club, threats of player strikes, supporter outrage and not a single victory. 1950 is remembered by Hawthorn supporters for all the wrong reasons.

At the end of 1949 Alec Albiston was told he would not be coaching the club the following year, but was still very much required as a player. This was fine with Albiston, and the board, led by new president David Prentice, eventually settled on Bob McCaskill as a replacement. McCaskill had played for the Tigers in the 1920's, and after a successful spell with Sandhurst in the Bendigo League had managed to coach North Melbourne to the finals for the first time.

McCaskill immediately set about changing the club, starting with the jumper. The guernsey was changed from brown with a gold V to brown and gold stripes to make the players look more physically imposing. McCaskill also said in an interview he believed the Hawks could make the four, and the club had a 'splendid leader in Alec Albiston'.

Certainly on reading that last quote it would seem pretty clear Albiston was considered the leader and captain for 1950. Indeed, Albiston swore he was promised this role by the board when he was told his services as coach were no longer required. Despite several tempting offers to captain-coach in the country, he ignored his good mate Col Austen's advice and decided to stay at Glenferrie.

Albiston missed the early practice matches due to cricket commitments, and in that time McCaskill was greatly impressed by the tough play of Kevin Curran. A former war hero, Curran was a big man who threw his body around, a very different style of play to the fast roving of Albiston who loved a goal so much he was nicknamed "Hungry". The new coach believed Hawthorn needed a more imposing figure as captain, and so it was announced on April 11 that Kevin Curran had been appointed captain by unanimous vote of the selection committee.

To say the manure hit the fan would be the understatement of the century. Albiston and Austen immediately asked for clearances, Alec coming out the following day and slamming the selection committee in the press, calling it 'one of the dirtiest things I have ever had put over me.'

Players threatened to strike in support of Albiston, and many supporters called for the board to resign. The selection committee issued a statement saying Albiston and made a mistake and no promise had been made. Hawthorn, a club that had maintained a low profile since it joined the VFL, was suddenly all over the papers.

Albiston and Austen turned up to the final practice match on April 15 and were told they were no longer required. McCaskill had said his position was untenable with his players making statements in the press, and either they went or he went. That night there was the sad sight of Austen and Albiston standing outside Glenferrie Oval in tears. Two of the club's greatest players who genuinely loved the club had been told they weren't wanted - a tragic series of events.

Just whether Albiston was ever offered the captaincy is still a matter of debate. Indeed, some people put his demotion down to religion. Albiston's father Walter had founded the Victorian Protestant Federation in 1918, whilst Curran and McCaskill were Catholic. The allegations have never been proven, although sectarian difference did exist within the club at the time.

Albiston and Austen were cleared to North Melbourne and Richmond respectively, and all of a sudden the club was without its two best players just a week before the season started. Given its reliance on so few already, the team was always going to struggle.

The club lost its opening three games by a combined margin of 258 points and only 7.25 from Collingwood in Round 4 prevented another caning. The side was nothing short of pathetic, getting smashed every week and suffering real embarrassment when The Argus suggested other clubs give Hawthorn financial assistance.

New captain Curran was already on the sidelines, suspended for four weeks for attempting to kick Tom Miller of Footscray. His first game back was against Austen's new side Richmond. Austen had expressed doubts about Curran's tactical ability in the lead-up to the game, and Curran decided to take matters into his own hands.

Kevin lined Austen up from 40 metres away and flattened him after kicking the footy away, resulting in another 4 week suspension. Although contact was apparently minor, Curran probably didn't help his chances by stating "If I was going to do something, I would pick a place - not in the open."

The season continued, as did the losses. In Round 10 the Hawks led Carlton by two goals at three quarter time, but contrived a five point loss to give the suffering supporters more heartbreak. Apart from a two point loss to Footscray at Glenferrie, every other game resulted in heavy defeat and Hawthorn ended the season without a victory and a percentage of 49.81.

However, some good did come from this annus horribils. Many people believe the appointment of Bob McCaskill as coach and his eventual successor Jack Hale as assistant was a key factor in the Hawks rise up the ladder. Also it made it clear the club needed to change, and disputes needed to be settled in private, not in the press.

Two new recruits would also make an impact. Roy Simmonds showed some good form, but a lanky youngster by the name of John Kennedy was a real find in the ruck, showing great promise and managing the amazing feat of winning the best and fairest in his debut season. It was the likes of Kennedy and Simmonds that provided some hope for Hawk fans at season's end.
 
<font size=3>1950 - The Facts</font>
 
Record: 0-18
Finished: 12 of 12

Highest score: 16.15.111 v Carlton, Round 10 at Glenferrie Oval
Lowest score: 2.8.20 v Collingwood, Round 15 at Victoria Park
Greatest winning margin: Not applicable
Greatest losing margin: 109 points, 5.5.35 to St Kilda 20.24.144, Round 2 at Junction Oval
Longest winning streak: Not applicable 
Longest losing streak: 18, Rounds 1 to 18

Coach: Bob McCaskill
Captain: Kevin Curran & Peter O'Donoghue
Club Champion: John Kennedy Snr
Most Brownlow votes: James Robison, 8
Leading goalkicker: Gordon Anderson, 21

President: David Prentice
Secretary/CEO: Vic Hocking

Debutantes
Gordon Bowman
Jim Don
Ron Evans
Michael Fitchett
Ray Gibb
Barry Griffiths
Peter Hancock
John Kennedy Snr
Brian Leary
Ken Newton
William Norman
Peter Scott
Roy Simmonds
Herb Turner