On the Friday preceding the Kokoda tribute game against Sydney, the Hawthorn Football Club invited a number of Kokoda Veterans to Waverley Park for lunch and to meet the current playing group. 

While on a tour of the Club’s facilities (and much to the surprise of many), one of the guests announced that he had played in a Premiership for Hawthorn in 1941 with the Under 20s team. 

Herb Thatcher, a well-known Hawthorn supporter in the 1950s through to the mid 1970s, was delighted to see his trophy and photo from the 1941 Premiership on display.

Herb had previously presented his trophy and team photograph to Hawthorn when the Club Collection was initially on display in the Dr. Ferguson Stand at Glenferrie. 

He had no idea that his prized photo and trophy were on display in the new Hawks Museum at Waverley Park.

Herb was delighted to point out his prized winnings to his fellow mates, who had experienced the trials and tribulations of warfare with him during the Kokoda campaign.

From the under 20s Premiership side, the following team-mates of Herb’s continued on to play senior football for the Hawks; Bert Amey, Jack Brain, Frank Curran, Ron Harris, Jack Hester, Albert Prior and Alex Nash (who tragically died in action when the bomber plane he was flying was shot down over New Guinea in 1944).

The Club has intentions for the Kokoda-themed game to become an annual match against the Sydney Swans and an ongoing fundraiser for the Kokoda Foundation. 

Many will remember the commemorative camouflage-style guernsey worn by the team, and more importantly, a thrilling encounter resulting in a Hawthorn victory over the Swans. 

Peter Haby
Hawks Museum