Follow along every Tuesday, as we celebrate Hawthorn champions, past and present...

Rodney Eade made his debut for the Hawks in Round 17, 1976, and within nine games found himself immortalised as a premiership player.

A speedy wingman, Eade was from recruited from Glenorchy in Tasmania where he had played in a premiership under former Hawk champion Peter Hudson the previous year.

Quickly earning the nickname ‘Rocket’ via teammate Peter Welsh, Eade gathered 16 disposals in the ’76 grand final triumph over North Melbourne and became a permanent part of the Hawks make up from then on.

Playing every game in the Hawks’ successful 1978 campaign, Eade again reached football’s ultimate prize as Hawthorn claimed their fourth flag, gathering 14 disposals and kicking a goal.

Catch up: Champion Tuesday - Joel Smith

1982, however, was arguably Eade’s most prolific season as he averaged 20 disposals, with premiership success again following just one year later.

Hawthorn made its first grand final appearance in five years and recorded a whopping 83-point victory over Essendon, with Eade accumulating 26 disposals in the decider.

The Bombers would have their revenge, defeating the Hawks in both the ’84 semi final and ’85 grand final, but in 1986 the side returned to achieve premiership glory- this time over Carlton – with Eade producing one his best performances for the season as he led all players with another 26-disposal effort.  

The Tasmanian played 16 games the following season in what would be his final year for the Hawks, finishing up with 229 games and 46 goals for the brown and gold before moving to the Brisbane Bears.

Best Performance

31 disposals and six marks v St Kilda, Round 3 1983

Best Venue

Lake Oval – played four games, averaged 19.25 disposals, kicked two goals

Best Opponent

Geelong – met 18 times, averaged 19.67 disposals and four marks, kicked three goals