Maurie Young

Recruited from Boronia, Maurie Young was a mobile ruckman and the older brother of 1961 premiership player Garry Young. Making his debut in 1956, he quickly established himself as a key follower, utilising an impressive vertical leap to feed his rovers and drifting forward to hit the scoreboard with reliable frequency. He was a pivotal figure in the Hawks' rise from cellar dwellers to contenders, winning the club's Most Improved award in 1957 and featuring prominently in their historic first finals campaign that same year. However, his career is defined by an agonising "sliding doors" moment; Young moved to Western Australia to join East Perth for the 1961 season, unknowingly vacating his spot just as John Kennedy Sr led the Hawks to their maiden flag. While his brother tasted premiership glory at the MCG, Maurie played in a losing WAFL Grand Final with the Royals, eventually returning to Victoria to finish his career in the VFA with Oakleigh.