Australian Football

Michael Porter joined Hawthorn from VAFA side University Blacks and, after a difficult start to his VFL career, including being told his services were no longer required at one point, he developed into a very handy player. In 1966-7 and from 1969 to 1972 he played 78 games and kicked 59 goals for the Hawks, mostly as a half forward flanker, although he also sometimes played in defence. He was on a half forward flank in the 1971 grand final, which saw Hawthorn account for St Kilda by seven points. He was not listed among the Hawks’ best players but the hefty bump with which he collected Saints enforcer Carl Ditterich can be seen in retrospect as having initiated a pivotal switch in the balance of play.

Author - John Devaney