Simon Hawking
Encyclopedia
Simon Hawking is a former Australian rules football
er who played with Fitzroy
in the Australian Football League
(AFL).
Hawking was a key position player and made seven appearances for Fitzroy in 1993, his first season. He played all 22 games the following year, as a defender. His efforts at fullback in Fitzroy's round 13 against Hawthorn at Waverley Park, where he kept Jason Dunstall
goal-less, earned him a 1994 AFL Rising Star
nomination. He took 10 marks and had 20 disposals in the win. Hawking was third in the 'best and fairest' award for the 94 season.
At the end of the 1996 AFL season
, Fitzroy merged with the Bears
to form the Brisbane Lions
, who retained the services of Hawking. He had been recommended to the new club by his former Fitzroy teammate Alastair Lynch
and needed a knee reconstruction before arriving at Brisbane. Hawking was one of eight players that the Lions picked up from Fitzroy's list but would be the only one not to play an AFL match. He had been an emergency for the club's first ever league game in 1997.
Brisbane traded him to the Sydney Swans
, along with Brent Green
, in return for the 31st selection of the 1997 AFL Draft
, used on future Brownlow Medal
ist Simon Black
. Plagued by injuries, Hawking didn't make any league appearances for the Swans and retired at the end of the 98 season. After a year out of football he made a return to the AFL, being secured by Collingwood
with the 10th selection of the 2000 Pre-season Draft
. He was again plagued by injuries and, unable to make it into the seniors, announced his (permanent) retirement, four years after playing his last AFL game.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played with Fitzroy
Fitzroy Football Club
The Fitzroy Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Lions, is an Australian rules football club formed in 1883 to represent the inner Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy, Victoria and was a foundation member club of the Victorian Football League on its inception in 1897...
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL).
Hawking was a key position player and made seven appearances for Fitzroy in 1993, his first season. He played all 22 games the following year, as a defender. His efforts at fullback in Fitzroy's round 13 against Hawthorn at Waverley Park, where he kept Jason Dunstall
Jason Dunstall
Jason Hadfield Dunstall is a former Australian rules football player for the Hawthorn Football Club of the AFL. He is the third greatest goalkicker in the history of the VFL/AFL. Dunstall is regarded as one of the greatest full-forwards to have ever played, kicking 1254 goals, a feat only...
goal-less, earned him a 1994 AFL Rising Star
1994 AFL Rising Star
The AFL Rising Star award is given annually to a standout young player in the Australian Football League. The award is also known as the Norwich Rising Star due to sponsorship reasons. The 1994 medal was won by Brisbane Bears player Chris Scott....
nomination. He took 10 marks and had 20 disposals in the win. Hawking was third in the 'best and fairest' award for the 94 season.
At the end of the 1996 AFL season
1996 AFL season
Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 1996.See List of Australian Football League premiers for a complete list.-Lighting Premiership:...
, Fitzroy merged with the Bears
Brisbane Bears
The Brisbane Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Bears was an Australian rules football club and the first Queensland-based club in the Victorian Football League . The club played its first match in 1987, but struggled on and off the field until it made the finals for the first time in 1995...
to form the Brisbane Lions
Brisbane Lions
The Brisbane Lions is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Brisbane, Queensland. The club was formed from the merger of the Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Lions in 1996...
, who retained the services of Hawking. He had been recommended to the new club by his former Fitzroy teammate Alastair Lynch
Alastair Lynch
Alastair Graeme Lynch is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played in the Australian Football League . He is best known as a three time premiership full-forward for the Brisbane Lions....
and needed a knee reconstruction before arriving at Brisbane. Hawking was one of eight players that the Lions picked up from Fitzroy's list but would be the only one not to play an AFL match. He had been an emergency for the club's first ever league game in 1997.
Brisbane traded him to the Sydney Swans
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
, along with Brent Green
Brent Green
Brent Green was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Brisbane Bears, Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League ....
, in return for the 31st selection of the 1997 AFL Draft
1997 AFL Draft
The 1997 AFL Draft was held at the conclusion of the 1997 Australian Football League season. A pre-season draft was also held prior to the 1998 season....
, used on future Brownlow Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
ist Simon Black
Simon Black
Simon Black is an Australian rules footballer playing for the Brisbane Lions in the Australian Football League.Black is a midfielder with a reputation for hard work and skill...
. Plagued by injuries, Hawking didn't make any league appearances for the Swans and retired at the end of the 98 season. After a year out of football he made a return to the AFL, being secured by Collingwood
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
with the 10th selection of the 2000 Pre-season Draft
1999 AFL Draft
The 1999 AFL Draft consisted of a pre-season draft, a national draft, a trade period and a rookie elevation. The AFL Draft is the annual draft of talented players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.In 1999 there...
. He was again plagued by injuries and, unable to make it into the seniors, announced his (permanent) retirement, four years after playing his last AFL game.