It’s day three of our Finals Face Off and today we look at two moments of toughness that in today’s game would have seen the players ruled out of the game for concussion. It’s Peter Hudson versus Dermott Brereton.

In the first quarter of the 1971 Grand Final, Peter Hudson already had one goal on the board, before a brutal hit by St Kilda’s Kevin ‘Cowboy’ Neale left him dazed and confused.

Hudson stumbled to his feet to take his kick. The kick for goal missed, but Hudson’s powers of recovery saw him go on to kick three more goals, helping the Hawks secure their second premiership. 

The opening bounce of the 1989 Grand Final is infamous for the bump Geelong’s Mark Yeates delivered to Hawks champion centre-half-forward Dermott Brereton.

The unsuspecting Brereton was visibly sick from the bump but made his way to the forward pocket to recuperate.

Later in the term, Brereton took a brilliant mark and converted the Hawks second goal of the game. He would go on to kick four goals against the Cats, helping Hawthorn to a six point win in one of the greatest Grand Finals of all time.

Vote for your favourite moment of courage now! The winner and our next Face Off will be revealed tomorrow.

Watch previous Finals Face Off rounds and see who won.

Finals Face Off #1 Crawford v Langford
Finals Face Off #2 Dunstall v Dew