An emotional Harry Morrison says he will honour mentor Ken Judge’s legacy in Hawk’s No. 1 guernsey

Hawthorn’s Harry Morrison has revealed how coach Alastair Clarkson “took his breath away” when offering him the chance to wear the club’s No.1 jumper, once worn by his mentor Ken Judge.

Harry Morrison will wear the No.1 in 2019. Picture: Michael Klein

Harry Morrison has revealed how Alastair Clarkson “took his breath away” when offering him Hawthorn’s No. 1 jumper, once wore by his godfather, the late Ken Judge.

Morrison, 20, said the subsequent phone call to Judge’s widow, Annette - a long-time family friend - was an emotional conversation he would never forget.

Next year will mark the first time the Hawks have issued the No.1 guernsey since Max Bailey wore it in 2010.

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In a symbolic gesture the number was “handed over” to the fans for the next eight seasons.

“I always used to walk past the No.1 (locker), but it never really crossed my mind about wearing it because it hadn’t been used in my time here,” Morrison told the Herald Sun.

“It was a bit of surprise when Clarko came up to me at the end of training last week and said they were bringing it back. It’s a great honour to wear the same number as Ken.

Harry Morrison with the No.1 guernsey. Picture: Michael Klein

Harry Morrison hopes to honour Ken Judge. Picture: Michael Klein

“I’m glad it’s back and I’m glad it’s on my back.”

The first people Morrison called after hearing the news were his parents, Tanya and Darby, followed seconds later by a call to Annette Judge, who was delighted with the news.

“She was pretty rapt with it,” said Morrison, who wore 35 this year.

“It was a pretty emotional phone call. She was a bit overwhelmed.”

The connection between the Morrisons and the Judges started before Harry was born when Tanya and Annette worked together in a Country Road store in Melbourne.

That close link continued after Tanya and Darby moved to Benalla, where Harry was born.

“In the early days, I probably didn’t realise the status Ken had (as a player and coach),” Morrison said.

Harry Morrison celebrates a goal against Sydney.

“I looked up to him as a family friend, but once I got older I was like, ‘Gee, he really has done it all’.

“I listened more intently as I got older and was going through my footy journey. I leant on him for advice and just having him there helped me along the way.”

Judge, who played 72 games with the Hawks, died after a long battle with cancer in January 2016, aged only 58.

Ten months later Morrison was drafted to Hawthorn at pick 74 in the national draft.

He played one game in his debut season - Luke Hodge’s last game for the Hawks - but established himself as part of the club’s next wave of players with 21 games this year, including two finals.

“Playing alongside some of the older boys helps builds the relationships on and off the field, and I’m sure that has helped my development,” said Morrison, who is a cousin of Port Adelaide’s Tom Rockliff.

“The finals were huge. Nothing can ever prepare you for the big crowds, and I was probably a bit over-awed in my first final. But I learnt a lot from that, going into my second final.

“It’s a good stepping stone for me into next year, and into my career.”

Now he can’t wait to step out in the No.1 to continue to honour Judge’s legacy.

HAWKS NEW NUMBERS

1 - Harry Morrison (in from No.35)

5 - James Worpel (in from No.38)

8 - Mitch Lewis (in from No.39)

11 - Conor Nash (in from No.45)

13 - Conor Glass (in from No.44)

20 - Chad Wingard

21 - Tom Scully

29 - James Cousins (in from No.46)

33 - Mathew Walker

34 - Jacob Koschitzke

35 - Jack Scrimshaw

38 - Darren Minchington

39 - Tim Mohr

44 - Damon Greaves

45 - Will Golds