1949 - Year in Review
 
Written by: Dominic Milesi
http://www.hawkheadquarters.com
18/12/2003
 
Hawthorn entered 1949 with Alec Albiston at the helm as captain-coach for the third year in succession. Round 1 against Essendon and the Hawks took the field full of confidence. But they were to run into a brick wall by the name of John Coleman.

Coleman was making his VFL debut after dominating for Hastings. Fellow first gamer Fred Wain was given the task, and had a goal kicked on him in the opening minute. Things didn't get much better as Coleman ran rampant. Eventually the more experienced Lionel Johnston took over, but nothing could stop the spearhead and he ended with 12 goals, still a record for most goals on debut.

Even worse was to follow with an 89 point loss to Richmond and a humiliating 105 point shellacking at the hands of Carlton at Princes Park. The side was at least competitive in the next five weeks but the breakthrough did not come until Round 9 at Glenferrie when the Hawks held the Dogs goalless in the final term to win by 10 points.

Hawthorn was thumped by Geelong by over 14 goals the following week, and then trailed the lowly Saints by 39 points at half time. Albiston finally lost it, telling the players to hand in their jumpers unless they started performing. He also read out a telegram from champ Kevin Curran, who was in hospital with a broken jaw. Inspired, the Hawks rallied for a sensational 8 point victory, kicking 10 goals to 3 in the second half.

Lack of forward options was killing the Hawks - they failed to kick above 100 points all season, and on seven occasions didn't even get above 50. However, individuals such as Albiston, Col Austen and Curren continued to shine. All were selected in Victoria's 87 point win over Western Australia, in which Coleman kicked 7 goals.

In the return about against Coleman's Bombers, Hawthorn kicked 7.0, becoming the first team since 1899 to fail to kick a behind during a match. This occurred during another five match losing streak, but it was broken in the most remarkable circumstances. Traditional mates in the cellar North Melbourne had shocked everyone by moving two games clear on top of the ladder. Hawthorn played out of their skins in front of their home fans to pull off a shock 18 point win that stunned the football world. It was the club's third and final victory of the season.

So the season ended with another wooden spoon, but one player stood out amongst the gloom like a shining beacon. Col Austen had been brilliant despite sustaining a back injury in the state game and suffering kidney trouble.

Despite playing in the bottom side he was best on ground five times and gained 23 votes to finish level with South Melbourne's Ron 'Smokey' Clegg. Austen emerged from the pictures with his wife to be told he had lost the Brownlow on a countback. He had managed votes in Rounds 16 through 18, but was forced to miss the final match as he couldn't even bend over with the aid of pain killers. Just one more vote would have been enough for Austen to take the Brownlow Medal - an honour that wouldn't officially occur until 40 years later.

Dr Jona decided to retire at seasons end, after 18 years as president and 25 as doctor of the Hawthorn football club. The board also decided to relieve Albiston of the coaching duties, but hoped he would be able to serve the club for many years to come. Little did they know what was about to erupt in the early months of 1950.


1949 - The Facts

Record: 3-16
Finished: 12 of 12

Highest score: 14.13.97 v St Kilda, Round 11 at Junction Oval
Lowest score: 5.6.36 v Collingwood, Round 15 at Victoria Park
Greatest winning margin: 18 points, 13.10.88 to North Melbourne 9.16.70, Round 17 at Glenferrie Oval
Greatest losing margin: 105 points, 7.6.48 to Carlton 21.27.153, Round 3 at Princes Park
Longest winning streak: 1, Rounds 9, 11 and 17
Longest losing streak: 8, Rounds 1 to 8

Coach: Alec Albiston
Captain: Alec Albiston
Club Champion: Col Austen
Most Brownlow votes: Col Austen, 23 - Winner
Leading goalkicker: Albert Prior, 48

President: Dr Walter Jona
Secretary/CEO: Vic Hocking

Debutantes
Tom Allsop
Alan Baldwin
Norm Black
Leo Bohan
E.W Churchman
Lew Evans
Beau Lambert
Vic McKinnon
James Rattray
Fred Wain
Lance Wilkinson
 
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