David Polkinghorne

Recruited from Scotch College, David Polkinghorne established himself as a dependable defender during Hawthorn's golden era in the 1970s. A back pocket and half-back flanker, he was never the flashiest player in a team studded with superstars, but his reliability and work rate made him a fixture in the senior side for a decade. He is often remembered affectionately for his distinctively unorthodox kicking style, where his arms would fly up on contact, yet he was effective enough to play a key role in the Hawks' 1976 and 1978 premiership victories.

Polkinghorne's career was defined by his integrity and "club first" attitude. He notably broke football's "code of silence" following the 1982 Qualifying Final, giving evidence at the tribunal after being struck by Carlton's Wayne Johnston, which resulted in a suspension for the Blues star. His resilience was tested the following year when he was a heartbreaking omission from the 1983 Grand Final side; despite the disappointment, he famously celebrated on the ground with his teammates and helped chair coach Allan Jeans off the field. He retired in 1984 as a highly respected life member who had squeezed every ounce of potential out of his career.