Jim Bohan

Recruited as a teenager in 1938, Jim Bohan quickly established himself as one of Hawthorn’s few genuine stars during a lean era for the club. While he settled early as a centreman known for his exquisite drop-kicking on both feet, his game took on a new dimension under the tutelage of coach Roy Cazaly in 1942. Cazaly utilised unorthodox training methods—including forcing Bohan to repeatedly leap for a ball tethered to a stick—to drastically improve his aerial contest, allowing Bohan to swing effectively between the midfield and centre half-forward. This versatility saw him claim the club's Best and Fairest in 1943 and 1945, and earn selection for Victoria.

Despite his individual brilliance, Bohan’s time at Glenferrie Oval was marked by near-misses and eventual controversy. He captained the side in 1944 and 1946 but famously never played a final; he was reportedly inconsolable after kicking four goals in the final round of 1943, only for a draw to cost the Hawks a maiden finals berth. His VFL career ended prematurely at age 27 when he crossed to the VFA to join Camberwell without a clearance, enticed by the Association's more open "throw-pass" style of play. He went on to dominate the VFA for another decade, but his standing at Hawthorn remained secure, eventually being named as the starting Centre in the club's Team of the Century.