Hawthorn legend Peter Hudson moves into New Norfolk permanently as a bronze god

He’s a legend of the AFL and now at New Norfolk, goal kicking machine Peter Hudson is a bronzed god. SEE HIS REACTION + WATCH THE VIDEO >>

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HE’S arguably the best full-forward ever to play AFL footy but in Peter Hudson’s home town of New Norfolk, there is no doubt about it.

A band of fiercely-supportive locals joined 75-year-old Hudson and his family and friends for the unveiling of a big bronze statue of the freakish forward at Arthur Square in the centre of New Norfolk on Monday.

As the former New Norfolk, Glenorchy, Hobart and Hawthorn legend took centre stage for the reveal, and bloke in a banged-up off-roader drove past and yelled out his window: “Go Pies”.

“Huddo” laughed and said: “Someone get his number.”

Tasmanian footy legend Peter Hudson with the statue unveiled in his honour today in the town where it all started – New Norfolk. Picture: James Bresnehan

It was fitting that Huddo’s statue, complete with his playing number 26, went in the popular New Norfolk gathering spot, where once the mighty Eagles played footy and New Norfolk won its first game of cricket against Plenty in 1876.

There was a lot of love for the man who was born in the New Norfolk hospital, went to New Norfolk High, and played footy for New Norfolk in the winter and cricket and tennis in the summer, until he was called up by Hawthorn in 1967.

Tasmanian footy legend Peter Hudson with the statue unveiled in his honour today in the town where it all started – New Norfolk. Picture: James Bresnehan

He kicked 727 goals in 129 games (at an average of 5.6 goals per game) for the Hawks, played for Tasmania and Victoria, won a premiership with the Hawks, won the VFL’s leading goal kicking four times, All-Australian twice, Hawks top goal kicker in six of the nine seasons at the club, and is a Legend in the AFL Hall of Fame.

When he quit the big time, he returned to Tasmania and played three seasons for Glenorchy before coaching Hobart and winning two William Leitch Medals.

“I’m just so proud today,” Hudson said.

“When Darrel Baldock was honoured in Latrobe I thought it was the greatest tribute to arguably the best footballer ever to come out of Tasmania, not thinking for one minute this would happen to me here in my home town,” Hudson said.

“To say I’m thrilled is an absolute understatement.

“To think people have chosen to do this is a huge honour.”

It is right up there for personal moments for the footy hero.

“Another one I’ll tell you about is when I played in the 1971 grand final with Hawthorn and then my son Paul 20 years later played in a premiership side for Hawthorn as well _ I was proud of that too,” Huddo said.

The statue was three years in the making, driven by former Mayor Nick Cracknell and former football club president Leon Kemp.

Gillie & Marc, Sydney artists, who have works around the world, were commissioned to create the

sculpture, which took six months.

It is part of the New Norfolk Council’s new Walk of Remembrance, which is under development in the town square.