Des Dickson
Hawthorn · “Delicate Des”
AFL career
73 games31 goals
- Debut
- R3 1962 v GEE5 May 1962
- Most recent
- R18 1966 v STK27 Aug 1966
Stats
1966 | HAW | 15 | 10.3 | 0.3 | 10.6 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 4.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
1965 | HAW | 13 | 11.2 | 0.5 | 11.7 | 3.5 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 0.1 | 0.2 |
1964 | HAW | 12 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.5 | - |
1963 | HAW | 17 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.6 | - |
1962 | HAW | 16 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.7 | - |
Bio
Recruited from Golden Square in the Bendigo Football League, Des Dickson became a cult hero at Hawthorn under the ironic nickname "Delicate Des"—a moniker that belied his reputation as one of the most fearsome enforcers of the 1960s. Standing 187cm, he operated as a bruising ruck-defender who epitomized the uncompromising physical style of John Kennedy’s "Commandos," often prioritising brute strength and intimidation over finesse. Dickson's aggressive approach famously cost him a place in the 1963 Grand Final due to suspension, a significant blow to the Hawks' premiership chances that year. Although he was viewed as a future leader at Glenferrie Oval, he surprised the football world by retiring from the VFL at just 25 to accept a lucractive captain-coach role at Stawell, leaving behind a legacy as one of the toughest men to ever wear the brown and gold.
Profile
- Born
- 10 Jan 1941 (age 85y 284d)
- Height
- 187 cm
- Weight
- 96 kg
Teams
Family
- Brother:Noel Dickson
- Nephew:Brian Walsh, Dale Dickson
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from Golden Square in the Bendigo Football League, Des Dickson became a cult hero at Hawthorn under the ironic nickname "Delicate Des"—a moniker that belied his reputation as one of the most fearsome enforcers of the 1960s. Standing 187cm, he operated as a bruising ruck-defender who epitomized the uncompromising physical style of John Kennedy’s "Commandos," often prioritising brute strength and intimidation over finesse. Dickson's aggressive approach famously cost him a place in the 1963 Grand Final due to suspension, a significant blow to the Hawks' premiership chances that year. Although he was viewed as a future leader at Glenferrie Oval, he surprised the football world by retiring from the VFL at just 25 to accept a lucractive captain-coach role at Stawell, leaving behind a legacy as one of the toughest men to ever wear the brown and gold.