Hawthorn Football Club today played host to six Kokoda veterans in the lead-up to its Round 11 Kokoda-themed match against Fremantle.

Veterans Bill Stuart, Alan Moore, John Akhurst, Jack Duffy and Ken Phelan from the 39th Battalion along with Jim Coy from the 2/14th were welcomed into the players’ inner-sanctum at Waverley Park.

In the team’s locker room, the diggers shared with the players their memories of the track and the strong bond formed while on duty during the Kokoda campaign - one of the most significant battles in Australia’s wartime history.


Kokoda veterans share stories from the Track with players in the team's locker room.

The Club, under Coach Alastair Clarkson, has trekked the Kokoda Track on three occasions and the trip now forms an important part of the cultural induction of new players and staff members to the Club.

Following the open discussion, the veterans enjoyed a tour of the Waverley Park facility and enjoyed lunch with the playing group and staff.

The diggers now look forward to attending the Round 11 match in the President’s Club on Sunday.

Learn more about the relationship between the Hawks and Kokoda.


Alan ‘Kanga’ Moore watches the team being taken through their paces in circuit training.