Born on the 19th February 1946 Peter Hudson was a freakish full-forward who just kept accumulating goals. He made brilliant use of the body, was deadly accurate and had an amazing ability to read the play. Arguably the greatest full-forward of all time – his amazing career average of 5.64 goals per game is the best in League history and his 150 goal season in 1971 matched Bob Pratt’s record for most goals in a season with 150. Peter had attracted the attention of every League scout with 469 goals in just four seasons in Tasmania and was the centre of huge media attention when he debuted against rugged Carlton full-back Wes Lofts in Round 2, 1967. Despite being battered all day, he kicked four goals out of Hawthorn’s total of six.
	Peter’s sturdy frame, brilliant judgment, sure hands and deadly accurate kicking style (generally using flat punts) gave him the complete full-forward’s package that was near impossible to counter. Hawthorn’s strategy of leaving a third of the ground open for him to be left one-out against the full-back worked brilliantly, and Peter kicked bag after bag of goals, including an amazing 16.1 against Melbourne in 1969 – his best ever effort in a single VFL game (he once kicked 18.2 in a Tasmanian senior game).
	Between 1968 and 1971, he was virtually unstoppable, kicking 125, 120, 146 and 150 goals respectively. His dramatic attempt to break Bob Pratt’s all-time season goalkicking record of 150 in the dying stages of the 1971 Grand Final remains as one of football’s most unforgettable moments. He was concussed just before half-time and battled through the second half in a daze, equalling the record but not breaking it.   In a sensational start to the 1972 season at Glenferrie Oval, Peter kicked 8 goals in the opening two quarters, before tearing a cruciate ligament in his right knee in an awkward collision with his Melbourne opponent. The condition of Peter’s knee was headline news for months and he missed almost two full seasons, making a phenomenal comeback in the second last round of 1973 against Collingwood at Waverley. After making a movie-star arrival to Waverley in a helicopter before the game and despite being unable to run freely or jump for marks, he incredibly managed to kick eight goals, beating four opponents in the process! At one stage, his opponent turned his back to the play and just watched Peter, who still managed to goal!
The reverence in which Peter was held by the Hawk faithful was illustrated by a sign outside a Hawthorn church which once read “What would you do if Jesus Christ came to Hawthorn?” – scrawled below was “Move Peter Hudson to Centre Half-Forward!” (a questionable move, considering Jesus isn’t a proven specialist full-forward.) His playing honours included a 2nd Brownlow Medal in 1971 Club Best and Fairest 1968, 1970; club leading goalkicker 1967–1971, 1977; VFL leading goalkicker 1968, 1970, 1971; premiership 1971 and he became an All-Australian in 1966 & 1969. He also won the highest honour in Tasmanian football twice; the William Leitch medal in 1978 and 1979 while at Glenorchy.
	The 1975 Glenorchy team TFL and State premiers. In the front row is playing coach Peter Hudson fourth from the left with Daryl Sutton fifth from left and Rex Garwood sits second from right. In the back row Trevor Sprigg stands second from left while Rodney Eade is pictured in the second row fourth from the left. Standing next to him fifth from left is Robbie Dykes while Gary "Super" Linton is first on the right.
	1975 saw the appointment of Peter Hudson as coach of Glenorchy where he led them to their first premiership in 10 years. Peter moulded the team into a well disciplined unit and their football, particularly over the finals series, was of the highest order. The club also won the State premiership and was asked to represent Tasmania at the ANFC championship against the best club teams in Australia. Peter Hudson won the TFL goalkicking that year with 81 goals.
He took up the challenge of leading the club again in 1976 and despite numerous serious injuries to key players was runner up. Peter commented at the time he could not recall any club he had been involved with being hit so hard with injury. He again was the leading goalkicker in the TFL with 113 goals. During this season he was appointed captain coach of the TFL and Tasmanian sides. He resigned at the end of the season and returned to Hawthorn. In 1978 he returned to Glenorchy after a successful comeback with Hawthorn where he had topped the VFL goalkicking with 110 goals. During the 1978 season he was to cover himself with glory winning selection in the TFL team, and picking up the William Leitch Medal, The TVT6 and Charles Davis Mercury awards  and the club Best and Fairest award. He created a record by kicking 142 goals in roster games and completed the season with 191 goals. The following season he again topped the goalkicking with an amazing 200 goals, winning his second William Leitch medal. He announced his retirement at the end of the season. Peter Hudson was kept goal-less in only three of his 129 VFL games and just five during his entire senior grade career. In total, he kicked 2191 goals in Tasmania and Victoria and is clearly recognised as an all-time great.
	Peter’s business acumen is also much-respected - he is currently a senior executive of insurance giant MBF. Peter Hudson was inducted as a ‘Legend’ into the AFL Hall of Fame and is also a member of Tasmanian Football's "Living Legends" along with Ian Stewart , Darrel Baldock , Royce Hart , Rex Garwood , Alastair Lynch and Terry Cashion . Peter Hudson is a member of the Tasmanian Sporting Hall of Fame along with other Tasmanian Football Legends such as Darrel Baldock , Rex Garwood , Horrie Gorringe , Bruce Carter , Terry Cashion , Roy Cazaly , Royce Hart , Arthur Hodgson , Laurie Nash and Ian Stewart. He is also a member of the Tasmanian Team of the Century

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Peter Hudson - A Tasmanian Football Legend