Laurie Peters

A key defensive prospect whose career was shaped by the turbulence of the Second World War, Laurie Peters arrived at Hawthorn as a tall, 183cm backman capable of locking down opposition forwards. After a brief debut stint in 1940, Peters spent the 1941 season with Camberwell in the VFA, but the association's wartime suspension saw him return to Glenferrie Oval to bolster the Mayblooms' depleted ranks. He played the bulk of his senior football during the 1942 and 1943 seasons, serving as a reliable defensive stopper who never troubled the scorers himself. While his playing days concluded before the war ended, Peters’ contribution to the club was far from over; he became a stalwart of the Hawthorn Past Players and Officials Association, serving on its committee for more than 30 years and acting as a cherished mentor to generations of players until his passing at age 95.