Stan Spinks

Born into the very fabric of the club, Stan Spinks was the son of Hawthorn founder Charles Spinks and developed into one of the most consistent midfielders of the 1930s. Recruited from Auburn, he established himself as a strongly built centreman and wingman known for his ferocious determination and dash. He was particularly revered as a wet-weather specialist who could handle a greasy ball with elite skill, often beating taller opponents in the air despite standing just 171cm. His prowess was such that after a dominant performance against triple-Brownlow Medallist Hayden Bunton, awe-struck Hawthorn supporters famously passed a hat around the ground, collecting 11 pounds to present to him as a reward.

Spinks’ individual accolades reflected his dominance in an era when the Hawks often struggled. He won the club's Best and Fairest twice (1932 and 1938) and was a runner-up on three other occasions. His 1938 season was particularly outstanding, seeing him finish second in the Brownlow Medal, just one vote behind Essendon legend Dick Reynolds. His playing career at Glenferrie Oval ended controversially in 1941 when, feeling disillusioned after being dropped to the reserves, he crossed to Camberwell in the VFA. He eventually returned to the fold as a thirds coach and committeeman, and his legacy was cemented with his selection on the interchange bench in Hawthorn's Team of the Century.