Dave Withers

Recruited from local side West Hawthorn, Dave Withers burst onto the VFL scene as a precociously talented teenager during the club's struggling "Mayblooms" era. Standing 188cm—a significant height for a key forward in the late 1920s—he made an immediate impact upon his debut at just 17 years of age, booting eight goals in his first three games to offer a rare spark for the cellar-dwelling Hawks. Despite his imposing frame and an uncanny ability to find the big sticks, Withers could not sustain his initial breakout form over the subsequent seasons, managing only sporadic appearances before drifting out of the league at the tender age of 19. His brief career remains a statistical curiosity for Hawthorn historians, noted primarily for his impressive strike rate in a side that was often starved of scoring opportunities.