Col Austen

Col Austen is remembered as one of the finest defenders of the post-war era and a central figure in the history of the Brownlow Medal. A dashing full-back who combined desperate defending with the ability to launch counter-attacks via his long drop kicks, Austen was a standout performer in a struggling Hawthorn side throughout the 1940s. His time at Glenferrie Oval peaked in 1949 when he polled equal highest in the Brownlow Medal alongside South Melbourne's Ron Clegg, only to be denied the award due to the countback system in place at the time. He was eventually awarded the medal retrospectively in 1989, acknowledging his status as the premier player of that season.

Despite his individual success, Austen's tenure at Hawthorn ended acrimoniously following a dispute with the club's administration and coach Bob McCaskill. He requested a clearance to Richmond, crossing to Punt Road for the 1950 season where he immediately bolstered the Tigers' defence and played in a Preliminary Final. Although he finished his VFL career with Richmond, his legacy is most firmly entrenched at Hawthorn, where he is named in the Team of the Century and is revered as one of the club's first genuine superstars.