Simon Hawking

Recruited from Bulleen-Templestowe via the Fitzroy U19s, Simon Hawking was a versatile key position player who became a staple of the Royboys' lineup during their final tumultuous years in the AFL. Standing 193cm, he was capable of pinch-hitting in the ruck or drifting forward, but played his best football as a key defender, most notably earning a Rising Star nomination in 1994 for keeping Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall goalless at Waverley Park. Hawking's career path became a unique statistical curiosity following the 1996 merger; he was one of the famous "Chosen Eight" Fitzroy players selected to join the inaugural Brisbane Lions squad, but a serious knee injury prevented him from playing a senior game for the new entity. He was subsequently traded to Sydney in a deal that famously gifted Brisbane the draft pick used to recruit Simon Black, and later spent a final season on Collingwood's list in 2000. Despite being listed by four separate clubs during a chaotic era of player movement, persistent injuries meant Hawking played all 60 of his career games solely for Fitzroy.