After the disastrous winter of 1950 only two changes were made to the to the senior list, which, not surprisingly, subjected the club to a fair amount of criticism. But coach Bob McCaskill had faith in the team and stuck to his guns.
McCaskill was coaching for his second and last year and would end his career at Hawthorn with 4 wins and 32 losses, the 2nd worst winning percentage ever (11.1%) after Bert Sutton who didn't win a game in his season of coaching in 1928. However McCaskill is revered in Hawthorn history as being revolutionary in his style and ahead of his time in playing and training strategies. Many credit him with initiating the change in the ethos of the club from defeatist underachievement to a success driven mentality.
Despite his failing health he remained committed and capable of inspiring the players. However Jack Hale, who’d joined the club the year before as seconds coach after a long career at Carlton, took on increased responsibilities as the year went on. Peter O'Donohue was formerly appointed captain, Kevin Curran choosing to concentrate on playing after his turbulent reign as skipper the previous year.
The season itself started poorly and ended up worse. Despite having the same number of scoring shots, Hawthorn lost to Carlton at Princes Park by 30 points in round one and this was followed by a 25 point loss to Essendon at Glenferrie Oval after leading by 2 goals at half time.
Then at last in round 3, the Hawks notched up their first win in 23 games and also their 100th overall. First year player Pat Cash was instrumental in the win, prominent in a four-goal second quarter burst, helping to overhaul the Saints. Cash would go on to take the club goalkicking honours for the year with 26 majors. According to the newspapers at the time, after this match the enthusiastic Hawthorn supporters “showed their appreciation to the players with plenty if 5 pound notes, two small boys even adding a 6d and a 3d.”
The joy was short lived however, as the Hawks were thumped to the tune of 64 points by a middle of the road Richmond outfit, then losing convincingly to an even worse North Melbourne side. But then in round six came a win over eventual top-four side Footscray at Glenferrie, the Hawks keeping the Bulldogs goalless in the last to come from behind and win by 11 points.
Again the joy didn’t last as eventual premiers Geelong inflicted a 70 point hiding at Kardinia Park the next week. Two more losses followed before a rare feat was accomplished: two wins on the trot.
The first, in round 10, was a nail-biting 1 point win over Fitzroy at the Brunswick St Oval. Again, the Hawks held the Roys goalless in the last to pinch the win. The following week at home, Hawthorn accounted for bottom side Melbourne by 34 points, again finishing strongly.
Unfortunately a pattern of outlasting opponents did not continue to emerge to any great degree as the Hawks lost their remaining seven games, although they were competitive for the most part in those losses, 4 of them with a margin under 3 goals. In the end the four wins were enough to avoid another wooden spoon, but that was all as Hawthorn finished second-last in 11th place.
Apart from Cash, other players of note to debut in 1951 were Len Crane, a full-back from South Melbourne who went on to play 102 games, and centreman John ‘Bones’ O’Mahoney who would play 112.
John Kennedy Snr would win his second Best and Fairest from as many starts, starring along with fellow second year player Roy Simmonds. Kennedy and Curran would represent Victoria against both South Australia and West Australia. Under the coaching of Jack Hale, F. Williams would win the Morrish Medal as the best player in the seconds competition, although he would not go on to represent the Hawks at senior level.
Despite the poor finish the club appeared to have gained some self-belief and direction. The change in coaching philosophy to a fitter and more physical playing style would pay dividends in the years ahead. It wouldn’t happen overnight, but it would happen.
1950 - The Facts
Record: 4-14
Finished: 11 of 12
Highest score: 18.12.120 v Melbourne, Round 11 at Glenferrie Oval
Lowest score: 5.8.38 v Carlton, Round 12 at Glenferrie Oval, and v Geelong, Round 18 at Glenferrie Oval
Greatest Winning Margin: 34 points, 18.12.120 to Melbourne 13.8.86, Round 11 at Glenferrie Oval
Greatest Losing Margin: 70 points, 8.15.63 to Geelong 20.13.133, Round 7 at Kardinia Park
Longest Winning Streak: 2, Rounds 10 to 11
Longest Losing Streak: 7, Rounds 12 to 18
Coach: Bob McCaskill
Captain: Peter O’Donohue
Club Champion: John Kennedy Snr
Most Brownlow votes: John Kennedy Snr, 12
Leading goalkicker: Pat Cash, 26
President: David Prentice
Secretary/CEO: Vic Hocking
Debutantes
Pat Cash
Peter Charleston
Len Crane
Jack Hartigan
Jack McDonald
Dave Morgan
Phil O'Brien
John 'Bones' O'Mahoney
Lindsay Turnbull