Kevin Hevey

Recruited from local club Tooronga, Kevin Hevey’s football journey was defined by the significant interruption of World War II. After initially joining the Hawks to play in the seconds as a teenager, he enlisted in the Army at 18 and served in New Guinea, where he kept his competitive instincts sharp by captaining a battalion football team that included future Essendon star Jack Jones. Hevey returned to Glenferrie Oval following the conflict and finally made his senior debut in late 1946, operating primarily as a defender who could also provide relief in the ruck. However, the physical toll of his service made it difficult to regain the peak fitness required for VFL football, and he was restricted to just five senior appearances before transferring to Camberwell in the VFA. Hevey remained a cherished figure at the club long after his retirement, holding the distinction of being Hawthorn's oldest living former player prior to his passing in 2021.