Australian Football

Bob Hank first played league football in 1944 as a member of the Port Adelaide-West Torrens wartime combination which lost that year’s Grand Final to Norwood-North Adelaide. Playing mainly at half forward right Hank enjoyed a successful season, and his good form continued the following year when full-scale league football resumed. Now playing in the blue and gold of West Torrens Hank was selected in the South Australian team which overwhelmed a Victorian combination which, despite being exclusively comprised of RAAF personnel, was regarded as the VFL’s first ‘official’ post war interstate team.

This game proved to be just the start of a glittering 27-game interstate career for Hank whom opposing states quickly learned to view as ‘public enemy number one’ on account of his immense courage combined with tantalising elusiveness and superlative ball skills.

On the club front Hank was among the best players afield in the 1945 Grand Final when, playing at centre, he helped steer Torrens to a memorable 13-point win over erstwhile partners Port Adelaide.

Other highlights of Hank’s career included the Magarey Medals of 1946 and 1947, no fewer than nine club best and fairest awards (including six in succession between 1945 and 1950), selection in the first ever All Australian team, chosen after the 1953 Adelaide carnival, and membership of West Torrens’ last ever premiership team the same year. When he retired in 1958 he had played a total of 224 league games.

Author - John Devaney