Greg Hawick Utility Man

Greg Hawick Utility Man

Greg Hawick had a long and illustrious career in Rugby League. With South Sydney, he was a utility man. This means he played in many and varied positions during his time with us. Hawick is in South Sydney’s dream team as a reserve. Undeniably, his utility value was recognized by the Australian selectors. He was a valuable player to have when the Australian team went on tour. Forward or back, it was all the same to Greg Hawick.

Early Career

Greg was born in 1932. He played his first football at Alexandria School Primary and from the beginning he was shunted around the team, playing in different positions. He once said “As long as I get a game of football, I don’t care what position they play me.” While at high school at Gardener’s Road Junior Tech., he joined Alexandria Rovers in the South Sydney junior competition. He continued with this junior team after leaving school and impressed keen judges.

Hawick is in the Alexandria Rovers ‘Best Of Team’ at 5/8, Steve Mavin from Bunnies TV is on the bench.

Ist Grade

Impressed keen judges induced Greg to come up to grade. He joined the 2nd Grade as a lock forward. But quirks of fate can happen. In 1950, at the ripe old age of 17, Hawick was asked to replace Cowie when ‘Chicka’ was injured. When Chicka returned, half Des Bryan was injured and subsequently replaced by Greg and so it went on. Selectors realized they had a champion on their hands. Greg had to be in the team. He finished the season, winning the premiership playing at 5/8.

1951 Semi-Final

Many players have shown exceptional courage to play through serious injury. Clive Churchill in 1955 with a broken arm, John Sattler with a broken jaw in 1970 and Sam Burgess in 2014 come to mind.

However, there is another player who needs to be added to that roll of honor. Greg Hawick, and he earned his in the 1951 Semi-Final. Souths that year were almost unbeatable and went into the semis with a Minor Premiership way ahead of anybody else. Playing Saints in the semi they were 2-1 on. Unfortunately, Souths were belted by Saints in a big upset. This win did not do Saints any good though. Souths consequently won the premiership against Manly. Poor old Greg did not run on the field in the Grand Final. He had played through the semi with Saints with a broken jaw!

1952 Tour

Fully recovered for season 1952, Greg again showed his skill and versatility, touring England and France as a utility player. Greg had been the most outstanding all-round player of the year so his selection in a test team was well deserved.

A Hollywood Story

Enclosed in a magazine article in SPORT during 1955, Hawicks’ story was one that, in the author’s opinion, would be lapped up in Hollywood. Greg repeatedly got belted, knocked down, dragged through the wringer, during most rugby league games. Despite this, he would get up and go again. In one trial game he received eight stitches. He never finished a match without some large sized bruise, graze or bump. He wasn’t particularly big – only 12 1/2 stone (80Kgs), yet he always managed to mix it on even terms with giant opposing forwards.

Later Career With Souths

After the 1952 tour of England, Greg continued to play with South Sydney until the 1956 season. He was in the 1954 Grand Final side.

Later Career

Greg’s later career was full of distinction even if he did not play with Souths. He had two stints with Wagga Wagga. In between these he returned to Sydney and played with North Sydney. Hawick was a thoroughly respected member of the Wagga Wagga community and is fondly remembered in the area.

Greg Hawick died in 2020.

In my opinion, Greg Hawick certainly deserves a place of honour in the ‘Remembering a Rabbito’ section of Bunnies TV.

Greg Hawick Utility Man.

By Mark Emery for Bunnies TV.