RECREATING HISTORY FIFTY YEARS ON

Peter Hudson, Alex Jesaulenko and Peter McKenna in 1970.

Fifty years ago, three fit, handsome, popular young men converged on a pub in Melbourne’s north where they were photographed together playing pool. Hawthorn’s Peter Hudson (24 years old at the time), Carlton’s Alex Jesaulenko (25) and Collingwood’s Peter McKenna (24) had just become the first trio in the 73-year history of the VFL to all score 100 goals in the same season: a feat seen as the pinnacle for any full-forward. In a sign of how much the game has changed, such solo outputs are unimaginable today, with teams instead instructed to share the load rather than channel a majority of their goals through one player. Back in 1970, full-forwards were the sport’s glamour players; they were the quarterback and the home-run king all rolled into one. So dominant were these goal-square masters that anything less than six goals per outing was seen as a quiet day at the office. Heck, in 1969, Hudson kicked 16 goals in a game, yet only received two Brownlow Medal votes!

Having scored 125 goals in 1968, then 120 the next year, it took Hudson just 16 games (in a 22-game season) to reach the ton in 1970. McKenna, who kicked 98 goals in 1969, took 17 games in 1970 to break through for his first ton. Both sharp-shooters certainly turned in a race for the ages, as they each took aim at Bob Pratt’s season record of 138 goals in 18 games, scored for South Melbourne in 1934. After three further finals matches that year, Pratt finished with a staggering 150 goals in 21 games, at a rate of 7.14 goals per game.

For Jesaulenko, the unlikeliest century-scoring candidate of the threesome given he often spent time up the field, his quest for 100 in 1970 carried extra weight: no Carlton player had surpassed Harry Vallence’s 97 goals, scored in 1932. Not that history and records mattered much to Jezza. He would get there, of course, in typical dramatic fashion in the 22nd and final game of the season, before proceeding to then star for the Blues throughout September as his team capped a season of highlights with a Grand Final for the ages against McKenna’s Magpies. Hudson’s Hawks missed the finals, making his goal-scoring feats that year even more remarkable.

Fifty years on from that rarest of photos—which McKenna believes may have been taken at Essendon’s Cross Keys Hotel, in Pascoe Vale Road—I wanted to bring the trio back together to recreate history in time for the 50th anniversary of their stunning feat. The idea stemmed from a conversation with my great mate, Brad Koetsveld, who shares my passion for footy history. Early in 2020, ‘Koetsy’, a Hawthorn tragic, simply said one evening, “How cool would it be to get them all together and re-do the photo?” Knowing me as he does, he knew all too well that he had just created an itch that I would need to scratch as soon as possible. Sure enough, the get-together between three of football’s biggest names was on. Initially, it was planned for the eve of the 2020 season, but when the world was suddenly rocked by a dreaded virus—forcing Victorians into a major lockdown for much of the next six months—my grand plans were brought to a screeching halt.

A season like no other came and went in the blink of an eye, yet nobody had thought to celebrate the fact such a notable image had reached its 50th birthday. Determined to make it happen before 2020 hit the rear-view mirror, and with that awful lockdown now lifted, I managed to arrange my shot at history this week. The special occasion was only made possible due to the ongoing support of Peter Hudson and wife Steph, Jezza and his daughter Sally, Peter McKenna, and my talented aunt Yvonne Appleyard, who kindly agreed to bring her photographic expertise to the (billiards) table. And so, finally, on a hot and sunny Tuesday morning we all converged on Harry Evans & Sons Billiards Tables, at 206 Gertrude Street in Fitzroy—David and Christine Evans kindly provided their wonderful showroom for the unique occasion—to discuss that memorable 1970 season and recreate ‘that’ photograph for the second time.

After half a century Peter Hudson, Alex Jesaulenko and Peter McKenna had plenty to chat about.

The hairstyles of 1970 might have changed a little, so too the colour—in Jezza’s case, it’s all gone—but there is no mistaking three of the most recognisable faces in footy history. Indeed, there remains that special aura which often seems to emanate from the great ones. It’s been a year of rebuilding for Hudson, 74, who endured a knee replacement and a hip replacement during lockdown; but otherwise, the three icons remain in good health, although their pace and agility has diminished somewhat. Those high-flying marks and freakish snapshots for goal are a thing of the past, but what hasn’t dimmed is their sense of humour; a larrikinism that was more prevalent during their era than perhaps it is today. Jezza, 75, was quick to remind McKenna, 74, of the popular Magpie’s short-lived singing career. He also asked Hudson whether he had arrived by helicopter on the day he kicked his 100th goal—which Huddo famously did for a game at Waverley in 1973—joking that, in comparison, he had to settle for catching a tram to get to the MCG. It was great to see Jezza holding court once more.

McKenna and Hudson are pictured celebrating their 100th goals in 1970, with Jesaulenko in full flight earlier in the season.

Despite their respective careers being freckled with marvellous highlights, each can still vividly recall kicking their 100th goal in 1970. Hudson explained, “The first one I kicked [in 1968], no one ran onto the ground. And John Kennedy said before the game, ‘No one go near him if he kicks it,’ because he didn’t want to make a fuss of it. But the second year I kicked it I had no idea they would run on; then, suddenly, out they came—they were coming from all directions! By 1970, I knew they were coming before I kicked it. It was against Footscray, and I kicked 11 goals that day to reach 100.”

For Jesaulenko, the experience at the MCG against Melbourne was three times as daunting. “I missed my first two attempts at it and the crowd ran on both times then had to go off again. The third time, I think I missed that one, too, but the goal umpire got the shits and just decided to pay a goal to get it over with.” Did he feel any added pressure, being the first Carlton player to kick for 100 goals? “No, not at all.” Not much flusters the son of Russian and Ukrainian parents; still the only Blue to kick a century of goals in a season. Said McKenna, “Jezza could have played anywhere: rover, full-back, half-back, full-forward—anywhere.” McKenna would certainly know a thing or two about the opposition: he kept an eye on who was kicking goals each week, particularly during that 1970 season, always aware of the competition. In a way, it helped spur him on to greater heights.

McKenna’s century came via a soccer off the ground, ironically against Jesaulenko’s Carlton. The method used was fitting, given McKenna had favoured the round-ball game as a child. “It was rather uneventful: I just kicked it off the ground. Then, as you can imagine, the crowd at Victoria Park came flooding on. There was 10 minutes to go and the runner came out and said, ‘Off!’ and he took me off the ground. But I wanted to stay on and kick more goals.” Quipped Jezza, “He was just like a modern-day coach, then!”

In December 2020, Peter Hudson, Alex Jesaulenko and Peter McKenna reunited to recreate a special moment in time.

Hudson ultimately eclipsed Pratt’s record for most goals in a home and away season (146), albeit with four extra games to play with, at a rate of 6.64 goals per game. McKenna kicked 128, then another 15 goals in the finals, to finish on 143 from 22 games at a rate of 6.5 goals per game. Jesaulenko kicked an even 100 goals in 22 appearances, then another 15 in three finals matches, to finish with 115 goals at a rate of 4.6 goals per game. The obvious question was asked, given the feat of three players kicking 100 goals in a season has happened just twice in 123 VFL/AFL seasons—in 1993, Adelaide’s Tony Modra (129 goals in 23 games), Geelong’s Gary Ablett senior (124 in 17) and Hawthorn’s Jason Dunstall (123 in 21) equalled the remarkable feat—is there any likelihood that we will see the triple-treat achieved again? “No,” said Hudson. “For starters, you will never see two players like these two guys ever again.” Jesaulenko added, “You’ll be lucky to see one player kick 100 goals again, let alone three.” 

With the photoshoot completed, tall stories told and friendships rekindled, three of football’s biggest stars ambled off into the sweltering midday sun. A moment in time, 50 years in creation, well worth waiting for.

Peter Hudson, Peter McKenna and Alex Jesaulenko reflect back on that magical 1970 season.

In 2019, with full support from the Jesaulenko family, I completed a doctoral thesis (through Federation University Australia) on Alex Jesaulenko’s formative years and his early VFL career.

I am currently writing Peter Hudson’s authorised biography.