Graham Arthur

Graham Francis Arthur (9 June 1936 – 10 January 2021) was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

Career Arthur played primarily as a half forward, debuting while still only 18 years old.

He was the captain of the first Hawthorn side to win the Grand Final and made a dozen appearances for the Victorian state team.

Following his career at Hawthorn, Arthur was appointed playing coach of Bendigo Football League club Echuca and led them to the 1970 premiership.

Arthur was named captain of Hawthorn's official Team of the Century.

Arthur supported the planned merger between and in 1996.

Arthur was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in the initial intake in 1996, his citation reading: Hawthorn's first premiership captain was a brilliant half-forward flanker/centreman.

Arthur's father Alan Arthur played for Essendon.

On 24 October 2000, Arthur was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to Australian football.

Statistics Coaching statistics

36 !! 17 !! 19 !! 0 !! 47.2%

Honours and achievements Team VFL premiership player : 1961 2× Minor premiership : 1961, 1963

Individual VFL premiership captain: 1961 3× Hawthorn best and fairest: 1955, 1958, 1962 Hawthorn captain: 1960–1968 (most games played as captain – 153) Australian Football Hall of Fame Hawthorn Hall of Fame – Legend status Hawthorn Team of the Century – Captain Hawthorn life member