What connects legendary Australian comedy character Norman Gunston, fog, the defunct airline TAA and the Victorian Police Academy at suburban Waverley?
They all performed their elements in one of many AFL’s most iconic moments, when Hawthorn goalkicking machine Peter Hudson arrived at a sport in a helicopter.
Hudson’s solely sport within the 1973 VFL season was remembered on Tuesday at Waverley Park, with a helicopter touchdown on the oval, 50 years after he kicked eight objectives there in a season-defining loss to Collingwood.
“That’s my claim to glory at Waverley. It’s amazing over the years how often it’s been brought up,” mentioned the Australian soccer Hall Of Fame legend.
Hudson had not performed in any respect since struggling a knee harm in spherical one of many earlier season.
Hawthorn needed to beat Collingwood to make the finals, so legendary coach John Kennedy requested Hudson if he would fly over from Tasmania and make a comeback.
“He said ‘I will come down to Tassie to see how you are’,” Hudson mentioned.
“I ran from one end of an oval to the other, blowing like a draught horse, and John said ‘ooh, a bit worse than I thought’.
“I educated for an entire fortnight, flat-out, after which performed.”
Enter Norman Gunston.
“I could not come over on Friday for the sport as a result of Norman Gunston was showing at my resort and I wished to be there for that,” he said.
So the scheme was concocted for Hudson to fly in on the morning of the game and then be ferried by helicopter from the airport to Waverley.
“It was recognized to have the odd little bit of a site visitors jam out right here on match day,” said Hudson, in one of the great understatements.
But the plan was nearly derailed on the Saturday morning, with fog shutting airports on the east coast.
Hudson was supposed to fly with Ansett, but he received a phone call from TAA advising him they they had a diverted plane in Hobart that was going to Melbourne.
The passengers were Hudson, his wife and five flight attendants.
“I mentioned to one of many stewards, if all of the airports are closed, what occurs if we get to Melbourne? And she mentioned ‘Adelaide’,” he said.
But the flight landed in Melbourne and Hudson was flown out to Waverley.
The next part of the legend is why there is no footage of Hudson arriving at the game – his helicopter didn’t land on Waverley Park, but at the nearby Police Academy.
“I went alright. I kicked eight objectives, however I reckon 5 of them got here from flukes,” Hudson mentioned.
“If I’d thought of it, I would not have performed it.
“It turned out alright.”
Hawthorn’s loss meant they missed the finals, however Hudson would kick an astonishing 1721 objectives throughout 288 video games for Hawthorn and Tasmanian groups New Norfolk and Glenorchy.
He stays a passionate Hawks fan and can be rapt that Tasmania will lastly have its personal AFL group.
“I’ve got that covered … I’m looking forward to Tasmania and Hawthorn playing in a grand final,” he mentioned.
Hudson was readily available to assist promote Hawthorn’s emergency companies tribute match on Saturday, towards Melbourne on the MCG, with the rescue helicopter because the backdrop.
“The players saw the helicopter and were like little kids. I imagine the people who see the helicopter when they really need it, it’s probably the best sight they’re ever going to see in their lives,” mentioned Hawks coach Sam Mitchell.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
