Scotch College

Hockey wins through to State League 1

Hawthorn Hockey Club's State League Hockey Team (incorporating Old Scotch) ended the 1999 season with one of the most successful home and away records in the club's seventy-five year history.

Two simple goals were set for the season. These were to gain promotion to State League 1 and win the flag. Neither was expected to be easy, especially for a team that had only gained promotion from Third Division in 1998. This year's team included many young old boys of Scotch, including Charles Tulloch ('97),

Steve Tulloch ('96), Chick Feddersen ('98) and John Feddersen who is currently undertaking Year 11.

Andrew Hodder ('87) was also welcomed back to Hawthorn, joining Michael Green ('86), to add much needed experience to the team. Andrew has been a member of the Victorian Men's National Hockey League team for nine years and proved invaluable as a leader on the field. Head coach Wayne Thornton, an ex Australian Player, returned to the helm for a fifth consecutive year, adding momentum to the cause.

The start to the season was blinding, and with wins in the first ten matches, the team placed itself on top of the ladder. There was a mid season scare with two draws to lowly ranked teams. However this served as a warning and the team regrouped to win the rest of the games and finished on top of the ladder, ensuring direct promotion into State League 1.

The first semi final was played in appalling weather conditions and despite a whole-hearted game, the less experienced Hawthorn team went down 4-2 in extra time to MUHC. The preliminary final was a sudden death affair and Hawthorn defeated St.Kilda/Powerhouse 4-0 to set up another show down with Melbourne University in the Grand Final. Ten minutes into the game Hawthorn was down 3-0, but then in an awe inspiring display of hockey, knocked in seven unanswered goals to finish the game 7-3 victors. A worthy end to the season.

The club now looks forward to its first appearance in Men's State League 1 in twenty-eight years. The Hawthorn Women have retained their position in League 1.

Hawthorn Hockey Club is now the largest in Victoria with twenty-nine junior teams, eleven men's teams, including veterans, and five women's teams. All of the junior teams are playing in the highest possible division in each age group, ensuring a bright future for the club in the years to come.

The 2000 season will be seen as the beginning of an era in which the club is placed at the top of Victorian hockey.