It takes more than mere ability to play 100 games or more for the Hawthorn Football Club.  Whilst the 139 players who have made this milestone have all possessed talent for the game, they also shared a determination and endeavour to play their role in the Club’s success.  These traits could be seen in two recently departed Premiership heroes in Luke Hodge, who finished his Hawthorn career on 305 games, and Josh Gibson, who played 160 games in the brown & gold.  These strengths can also be seen in our latest additions to the They Played 100 Games or More display in the Hawks Museum - Brendan Whitecross and Taylor Duryea. 

Brendan Whitecross came to Hawthorn from Queensland club, Zillmere as pick 29 in the 2007 National Draft.  An all-round sportsman, his story is one of persistence and dedication.  After a debut in Round 1, 2009 against Geelong, Brendan showed promise, winning the 2009 Most Improved Player award. 

By 2011 he had cemented his place in the senior side becoming a valuable utility, a skilful and dangerous link man with poise in the backline with a fine goal sense when forward.  These abilities would see him play finals in 2011 and 2012.  But, just as the Club was approaching team success, a serious knee injury during the 2012 Qualifying Final ruled Brendan out of a Grand Final place. 

Working his way back for Round 14 of the 2013 season, his ambition was again thwarted in the finals.  Another knee injury, this time in the thrilling Preliminary Final against Geelong, ended his chase for the 2013 Premiership.  Unfortunately, he also missed out on the 2014 and 2015 Premiership sides due to set-backs with the recovery from his second knee reconstruction.  He never gave up, though, and regained his spot in the senior side for the second half of the 2016 season, again playing finals.  

Brendan’s dedication and positive team-first attitude saw him play his 100^th game for Hawthorn in the Round 10 clash with Sydney, May 26, 2017.  His service to the Hawthorn Football Club was rewarded with Life Membership in 2017.

Taylor Duryea made his senior debut against Collingwood in Round 3, 2013.  He was named Best First Year player after playing 18 games in the 2013 season.  A small and crafty defender with a penetrating kick, Taylor came to Hawthorn from the Murray Bushrangers with Pick 69 in the 2009 National Draft.  The delay in making his debut had more to do with a terrible run of injuries while learning his craft with Box Hill.     

Capable of playing on a variety of forwards, he cemented a place in the side in the 2014 season, playing 23 of a possible 25 games and going on the play in the 2014 Premiership.   He then backed up as a valuable member of the 2015 Premiership side following a fine finals campaign.  Injury robbed him of seven games early in the 2017 season. 

Persistence saw Taylor bounce back to play 15 games for the season, including his 100^th senior game.  This milestone came against Carlton in Round 22.  Injuries and illness to regular forward line players meant that Taylor was also able to show his goal sense and forward pressure in several games during the 2017 season.  Taylor Duryea has rejoined Hawthorn’s backline in season 2018. 

These two milestone men are the most recent additions to the They Played 100 Games or More display in the Hawks Museum.  Come and see where they sit on the Hawthorn Football Club’s all-time games list. 139 Hawthorn players have reached the 100-game milestone.  Is your favourite player in our display?