Five-eighth of the Century

The Alexandria Rovers had three players nominated for the team: current superstar Nathan Merritt, former Newtown Blue Bags great Brian “Chikka” Moore, and former Australian International Greg Hawick.

Of these three players, Hawick was named in the team as the five-eighth of the Team of the Century. He was actually nominated in three different positions! A truly remarkable performance.

Greg came through the junior ranks with the Alexandria Rovers and his football ability was quickly noticed by the Rabbitohs.

Hawick made his debut with Souths in 1950 as a lock-forward but subsequently switched to the backline playing halfback and centre. Hawick’s career with South Sydney stretched from 1950 to 1956, during which he played in five premiership-winning teams. In all, he played 84 first-grade games, scoring 19 tries and kicking 62 goals for a total of 181 career points.

He then went on to to play two more seasons with the now defunct North Sydney Bears.

His representative career was just as successful. Hawick made six test appearances for the Australian national representative side. He also played eight games for NSW.

Hawick toured with the Kangaroos to Great Britain in 1952-53, playing two tests, and another 16 tour matches and scoring eight tries. He also toured to New Zealand with the Kangaroos in 1953 playing two tests, six other tour matches, scoring two tries and kicking three goals. Hawick played in the first World Cup in 1954 and was part of the 1957 World Cup-winning team.

In 2004 he was named by Souths in their South Sydney Dream Team, consisting of 17 players and a coach representing the club from 1908 through to 2004.

In 2007 he was also nominated for the North Sydney Bears Team of the Century, one of only a few players in the game who was nominated by two different clubs for their Teams of the Century.

To top it all off, he was also selected in the ARL team of the 50s as the five-eighth. The judges included respected league identies, such as Don Furner, Ian Heads, Ron Massey, Bob Fulton, Terry Fearnley, Alan Clarkson, David Middleton, Ferris Ashton and Ken Arthurson.

This year, as the Alexandria Rovers celebrate 60 glorious years, a Team of the Century will be selected and announced at the club’s 60^th-year dinner reunion (later in the year) and I would bet my house on Greg Hawick being selected the five-eighth of the Alexandria Rovers Team of the Century.

For all the latest information on the mighty Rovers check out the club’s offical website www.alexandriarovers.com.au.

Photo:Greg Hawick