Hawks premiership player Les Kaine dies, aged 76

LES Kaine, the fullback in Hawthorn's first premiership team in 1961, has died after a long illness.

LES Kaine, the fullback in Hawthorn's first premiership team in 1961, has died after a long illness.

He was 76. Kaine was recruited to Hawthorn from Coleraine in Victoria's western district in the 1950s.

Kaine played 103 games for Hawthorn and booted 80 goals. He spent most of his career in attack before he was moved back in defence, where he made his mark as a fullback.

Hawthorn footballers paid tribute to the premiership defender, wearing black armbands in their 64-point win against the Gold Coast Suns.

Kaine played alongside Hawk great David Parkin, who was a champion back pocket player.