That 'something special' was Peter Hudson. 'Huddo' had equalled the League's single-season record of 150 goals in 1970, but hadn’t played in the VFL since Round 1 of 1972, when he’d kicked eight goals in two quarters before wrecking his knee. Many thought his career was over.
More than a year-and-a-half on, a plan was hatched to bring the king of the flat punt back to help the Hawks have one last crack at a finals spot.
A call was sent out to the semi-retired champion, who by this stage was managing his own pub in Tasmania, for a one-off return to the big time. He agreed.
With Norman Gunston performing at his pub the night before, Hudson flew to Melbourne on the morning of the match, before being transported – by private helicopter – out to Waverley Park.
The sixth biggest crowd of the season greeted his arrival and despite being hardly able to run or jump, ‘Huddo’ booted eight goals in an unforgettable cameo, one which overshadowed Collingwood’s 18-point win.
Hudson battled through two more games in 1974, and made a fully-fledged comeback in 1977, when he topped the goalkicking with an extraordinary 110 goals.
