9 minutes ago, hemingway said:

Happened just in front of me in the forward pocket in front of the old Dr Sandy Ferguson stand. 

It was early 1970s, around 1971 or 72. 

Hudson went out to meet the ball but Barry Bourke feel across his leg damaging his knee.

Hudson had kicked 8 goals up to half-time. 

There was a deathly hush across the ground as he was carried off on a stretcher. Hawks supporters were in a state of dismay and shock whereas Demon supporters (and players) were relieved that the pain Hudson was inflicting on Melbourne was over. 

This is against the backdrop of him kicking 16 goals against a hapless Melbourne in 1969. I was also there that day and it was probably the most sensational but nightmarish performance I have ever seen on a footy field   All from a player who couldn't run, take a mark above his head and apart from his deadly accuracy with his flat punts from 40 metres out, was not much of a kick.

It did not matter what opposition teams did to negate Hudson, he could outplay any number of opponents at the one time and find a way to kick a bag of goals. There were multiple occasions when he kicked more than 10 goals. This would probably not happen today with the way the game has fundamentally changed from positional football to a running rugby scrum. 

Really good descriptions, Hemingway. These 'fuller' events trace backwards over 45 years of greying matter and as you say, Huddo was not your ordinary footballer. In the worst of circumstances, that day, he was stopped and as a rabid Dees supporter, thank Heaven for that in one or two regards within a bunch of disappointments for the Hawks. 

I also remember that game. I was out on the railway line wing...think Frank Davis was captain Barry Bourke played some good football when he moved to the backline. They were difficult times, always hoping we'd recapture the glory days.

On 2/1/2019 at 12:08 PM, hemingway said:

Happened just in front of me in the forward pocket in front of the old Dr Sandy Ferguson stand. 

It was early 1970s, around 1971 or 72. 

Hudson went out to meet the ball but Barry Bourke feel across his leg damaging his knee.

Hudson had kicked 8 goals up to half-time. 

There was a deathly hush across the ground as he was carried off on a stretcher. Hawks supporters were in a state of dismay and shock whereas Demon supporters (and players) were relieved that the pain Hudson was inflicting on Melbourne was over. 

This is against the backdrop of him kicking 16 goals against a hapless Melbourne in 1969. I was also there that day and it was probably the most sensational but nightmarish performance I have ever seen on a footy field   All from a player who couldn't run, take a mark above his head and apart from his deadly accuracy with his flat punts from 40 metres out, was not much of a kick.

It did not matter what opposition teams did to negate Hudson, he could outplay any number of opponents at the one time and find a way to kick a bag of goals. There were multiple occasions when he kicked more than 10 goals. This would probably not happen today with the way the game has fundamentally changed from positional football to a running rugby scrum. 

Hudson would totally struggle in today's zoned defences.  the blocking of space would kill his game.

10 hours ago, DV8 said:

Hudson would totally struggle in today's zoned defences.  the blocking of space would kill his game.

absolute rubbish. have you seen the size of glenferrie oval? not to mention what a mud heap it (any many suburban grounds) was in those days. Hudson got a lot of his goals from ground balls. he was a goal kicking machine in *all* conditions

4 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

absolute rubbish. have you seen the size of glenferrie oval? not to mention what a mud heap it (any many suburban grounds) was in those days. Hudson got a lot of his goals from ground balls. he was a goal kicking machine in *all* conditions

Agree with your comments Daisy.

Glenferrie Oval was a congested ground with little space. If he played today, he would kick goals, zone defence or not.

The size and poor condition of the ground assisted the Hawks in their home games for a long time. They were not a fast team but had a team of hardnuts that were hard to beat in the mud. The small size of the ground meant that the game was always congested, although, at times, the ball came out of the mid field to Hudson very quickly from players like Crimmins and Keddie. One kick and the ball was in the goal square. 

Of course Hudson kicked goals on all grounds irrespective of size. He was a freak. Like other greats he could read the play ahead of others, often moving to space that defenders vacated and in man on man duels, he had an ability to out position or out manoeuvre. He was big and lumpy and hard to get around if you were a defender. Often the ball would hit the ground and Hudson would already be there picking up the ball and sending a screwy old kick through the sticks.  He was not a runner but he had very quick reflexes. 

These days most sides have multiple goal kickers particularly from running players but Huddo would still be there effortlessly adding to the tally.  He may not kick the bag of goals that he did in those times but he would be good for 4 or 5 every match. 

Peter Hudson was a much better version of West Coast Eagle's Kennedy and was one of the greatest FF in any era. He was a long kick and was very accurate I had a friend who played with him in Tasmania and he said his kicking technique was developed to be able to kick goals when the wind was blowing a gale.

2 hours ago, hemingway said:

Agree with your comments Daisy.

Glenferrie Oval was a congested ground with little space. If he played today, he would kick goals, zone defence or not.

The size and poor condition of the ground assisted the Hawks in their home games for a long time. They were not a fast team but had a team of hardnuts that were hard to beat in the mud. The small size of the ground meant that the game was always congested, although, at times, the ball came out of the mid field to Hudson very quickly from players like Crimmins and Keddie. One kick and the ball was in the goal square. 

Of course Hudson kicked goals on all grounds irrespective of size. He was a freak. Like other greats he could read the play ahead of others, often moving to space that defenders vacated and in man on man duels, he had an ability to out position or out manoeuvre. He was big and lumpy and hard to get around if you were a defender. Often the ball would hit the ground and Hudson would already be there picking up the ball and sending a screwy old kick through the sticks.  He was not a runner but he had very quick reflexes. 

These days most sides have multiple goal kickers particularly from running players but Huddo would still be there effortlessly adding to the tally.  He may not kick the bag of goals that he did in those times but he would be good for 4 or 5 every match. 

yes ernie, and hudson, unlike the other great full forwards around his era, was not a great overhead mark, he was just such a smart footballer (not flashy to watch) who just found ways to kick goals, with spectators often surprised when told he had kicked a lot more goals than they had thought. would be a great in any era because he just had so many tricks to his game.  his stock kick was just an ugly but very accurate flat punt kick

6 hours ago, daisycutter said:

absolute rubbish. have you seen the size of glenferrie oval? not to mention what a mud heap it (any many suburban grounds) was in those days. Hudson got a lot of his goals from ground balls. he was a goal kicking machine in *all* conditions

I remember Hudson clearly.   He was amazing judge of the ball flight and blocked space so his defender could not reach the ball...  but in today's game, he has no weapons at all.

He was not strong overhead, was slow, and can't lead without being caught.

He isn't suited to a jammed up forward line.  He would be ordinary.

That Jayden hey. He's a ripper.