KEN Hunter, perhaps the most courageous Carlton footballer ever to lace a boot, was tonight inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
Universally acknowledged as a great of the game through 147 games in nine seasons with the Old Dark Navy Blues, Hunter thrilled (and often frightened) supporters with his capacity to launch his small frame into oncoming danger – yet somehow emerge with the Sherrin after completing that trademark fly.
The high-flyer in the No.9, now worn by co-captain Patrick Cripps, made teammates walk tall by putting himself into places few footballers before or since have dared to venture.
Hunter was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame by former coach and lifelong friend David Parkin who said he was proud to bestow the honour upon his “favourite player of all time.”
Carlton supporters adored him, opposition supporters respected him — and in the tribal 1980s that was high praise indeed.
Hunter was 23 years of age when he was recruited from West Australian Football League club Claremont – the West Australian Football League club that together with Carlton volunteered Hunter’s name for induction into the Hall.
It was late 1980 and Hunter had already forged a handsome reputation, having finished runner-up in the Best and Fairest to Claremont ruckman Graham Moss for the third successive year, despite suffering three breaks to his jaw during that season.
Hunter was part of three premierships at Ikon Park (1981, 1982, 1987) – the first of them in a Best and Fairest year - and with Bruce Doull by his side contributed to a golden era at Carlton.
His on-field distinctions in Victoria are more than matched by his stellar contributions to the game, both at club and state level in his native Western Australia. In his later life as a Carlton Director, he also dedicated his time and energies to the cause when the Club needed him most.
Hunter becomes the first former Carlton footballer to be inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame since his former Premiership teammate Wayne Johnston last year.
Of the 13 Legends of the Carlton Football Club, only Bert Deacon and Sergio Silvagni are yet to be inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
Tuesday night also saw former Blues coach Michael Malthouse inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. Malthouse coached the Blues for 54 games between 2013-2015.
Ken Hunter bio
at Carlton
147 games, 160 goals 1981-89
Premiership player 1981, ’82 & ’87
Best & Fairest 1981 (first season, a Premiership year)
Best First Year Player 1981
3rd Best & Fairest 1982
Leading goalkicker 1983 (43 goals)
Carlton Hall of Fame (inducted 1998)
Carlton Team of the Century interchange (named 2000)
Carlton Board Member 1993-2006
in Western Australia
99 games, 23 goals (Claremont FC) 1975-1980
3rd Best & Fairest 1978, ’79 & ’80
Western Australian Team of the Century
All Australian 1979, ’80, ’82 & ’83
Western Australian representative x 10
Former Carlton footballers elevated to Legend status in the Australian Football Hall of Fame
Ron Barassi
Alex Jesaulenko
John Nicholls
Former Carlton footballers inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame (players)
Peter Bedford
Craig Bradley
Horrie Clover
George Coulthard
Bruce Doull
Ken Hands
Ern Henfry
Wayne Johnston
Stephen Kernahan
Anthony Koutoufides
Rod McGregor
Peter McKenna
Stephen Silvagni
Geoff Southby
Harry Vallence
Robert Walls
Greg Williams
Jack Worrall
Former Carlton coaches inducted into Australian Football Hall of Fame (coaches)
David Parkin
Former Carlton administrators inducted into Australian Football Hall of Fame (administrators)
Sir Kenneth Luke
