Peter John Hudson is considered one of the greatest full-forwards to have ever played the game of Australian Rules Football. He was a prolific goal scorer in all senior competitions in which he competed, no matter who his opponent was. Originally from Tasmania, Hudson played with New Norfolk Football Club, in the Tasmanian Football League before crossing to Hawthorn Football Club in the Victorian Football League (now the Australian Football League). Following his Hawthorn days he returned to Tasmania, playing for Glenorchy Football Club during which he kicked an amazing 616 goals in 81 games at a phenomenal 7.61 goals per game.
Over his career, Peter Hudson kicked 1,721 goals in 288 premiership games between 1963 and 1979, and 1981. His final match was in the 1981 TANFL Preliminary Final for Glenorchy, where Hudson, who had made a brief comeback with two rounds remaining due to Glenorchy having a string of injuries, kicked 30 goals in three matches, including six in his team’s Preliminary Final loss to New Norfolk.
The key to Hudson’s success was an indefatigable desire to gain possession of the football, which he did repeatedly by virtue of his strength, vigorous, pacy leading, and excellent handling and marking skills. There were times he seemed to gain possession of the ball ever so quietly and with consistent, nonchalant ease, his tally of goals for the game would gradually climb. Among his armoury of skills, he seemed to have the ability to quietly sneak away from the opposition attendant full-back. Before the frustrated backman knew it, Hudson had taken a nice comfortable mark on his chest for a simple goal. To finish this off he was one of the best kicks for goal the game as ever seen . His old fashioned tumble punt sometime not pretty to be seen, somehow managed to make its way through the two centre posts.
Playing Career
1963 – 1966 New Norfolk, 1967 – 1974 1977 Hawthorne, 1975 – 1976, 1978, 1979, 1981 Glenorchy
Games
288
Goals
1721
Playing Honours
- VFL premiership player: 1971
- 2× J.J. Dennis Memorial Trophy: 1968, 1970
- 6× Hawthorn leading goalkicker: 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1977
- 4× VFL leading goalkicker: 1968, 1970, 1971, 1977
- 2× All-Australian team: 1966, 1969
- 2× William Leitch Medal: 1978, 1979
- TANFL premiership player-coach: 1975
- Australian Football Hall of Fame
- Hawthorn Team of the Century
- Tasmanian Team of the Century
Coaching Career
1975 – 1976; 1981 Glenorchy, 1986 – 1987 Hobart
Games Coached
