Dunstall names the Top 5 Hawthorn players of the modern era

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Zero Hanger

Hawks legend Jason Dunstall has named the Top 5 Hawthorn players he has seen play.

Speaking on Fox Footy's On the Couch, Dunstall said it had been a "tough task" finalising the list.

"Bear in mind I couldn't squeeze in the likes of a Peter Knights or a Gary Ayres or a Luke Hodge or a Buddy Franklin, those type of players," he said.

5. Michael Tuck

Tuck played a VFL/AFL record 426 senior games for the Hawks, winning an astonishing seven premierships in the process.

He was hawthorn captain between 1986 and 1991 and is a member of the Hawks' team of the Century.

"He didn't actually win a best and fairest but I think he was a runner up six times and played in about 37 premierships because he played forever and a day. He was an absolute star and a great leader," Dunstall said of Tuck.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - 1988: Michael Tuck of the Hawks in action during the 1988 AFL season played between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Collingwood Magpies held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, 1988 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Getty Images).

4. John Platten

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 25: John Platten of the Hawks celebrates with the trophy after winning the 1988 VFL Grand Final match between Hawthorn Hawks and Melbourne Demons at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 25, 1988 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Getty Images)

3. Sam Mitchell

"He is a four-time best and fairest, a four-time premiership player and he just does it week in, week out and virtually doesn't miss a game. I think he is a star and people have never rated him quite as highly as perhaps should be," Dunstall said of Mitchell.

LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 16: Sam Mitchell of the Hawks is tackled by Maverick Weller of the Saints during the round four AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the St Kilda Saints at Aurora Stadium on April 16, 2016 in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

2. Peter Hudson

"Peter Hudson was a star, kicked 150, owns most of the records, averaging over five goals a game," Dunstall said of Hudson.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DATE UNKNOWN: Peter Hudson of the Hawthorn Hawks in action during a VFL match in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Getty Images)

1. Leigh Matthews

Who else could be at No.1 than the player largely considered as the greatest of all time, Leigh Matthews.

"Leigh Matthews is recognised as the greatest - just a lazy eight best and fairests in a pretty handy era," Dunstall said.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - 1980s: Leigh Matthews of the Hawthorn Hawks kicks for goal during a VFL match. (Photo by Getty Images)
Published by
Zero Hanger