Norm Maginness

Recruited from Ashburton in the Eastern Suburban League, Norm Maginness was a steady half-back flanker who played a foundational role in Hawthorn’s rise during the 1950s. After breaking into the side in 1953, he became a regular defender, although his progress was briefly interrupted by a fractured shoulder and a poisoned toe in 1955. He recovered to play in the club’s historic first VFL finals campaign in 1957, participating in the semi-final victory over Carlton, but a persistent back injury forced his exit from top-level football the following year. His final appearance for the Hawks was in the 1958 Reserves premiership victory, the club's first flag in that grade. Maginness continued his career in the VFA with Mordialloc and Waverley, but he is best celebrated today as the patriarch of a dedicated Hawthorn family, with his son Scott and grandson Finn both following him into the brown and gold.