Number 5 – Alec Albiston, John Fisher, Peter Crimmins, Andy Collins, Daniel Harford, Sam Mitchell

Number 5 is considered one of the spiritual numbers of the Brown ‘n Gold given the legacy of Peter Crimmins. 


Alec Albiston (1936-1949, Games 170) was the first to kick 10 goals in a game, the first to play 100 games wearing number 5 and was Captain and Coach in his final two years. Inducted into the Hall of Fame 2011.

John Fisher (1957-1965, Games 94) was a very fast and creative player on the wing in the Club’s first Premiership in 1961.  

Peter Crimmins (1966-1975, Games 176) who more than many, epitomised Hawthorn. He was an outstanding and courageous rover who played a sterling game in the 1971 Premiership. Named Captain, 1974-1975.  He unfortunately died far too young, a few days after the 1976 Premiership, now known as Crimmo’s Cup. As a mark of respect his guernsey was retired from 1977 till 1992 when the Cimmins family made the offer to Andy Collins would he like to wear the number 5 in 1993. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

Andy Collins (1987-1996, Games 212), a dedicated and determined player, holds the record for consecutive games for the Hawks, 189.  Played vital roles in three premierships, 1988 (wore 40), 1989 and 1991 (wore 4). He won the Club Champion in 1990.  In 1993 the Crimmins family asked could their father’s number 5 be brought out of retirement and be offered to Andy Collins to wear as his blonde hair and style of play reminded them of their father.  Andy Collins was delighted to accept, Crimmins was his childhood hero.

Daniel Harford (1995-3003, Games 153), a real live wire was the next to wear the famous number 5, a creative on-baller he played in the 1999 Night Premiership. A great clubman, his chat show ‘Harf’s Half Hour’ on a Thurday night in the Social Club still run’s today under the title ‘Talk Sport with Mort’.

Sam Mitchell (2003-on, Games 202), a very focused on-baller, a blonde, similar to Crimmins.  Named Captain 2008-2011, Mitchell has built an impressive record with the Hawks, four premierships, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015, and has won the Crimmins Medal in 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012.