Bob Hank

Robert W. "Bob" Hank (19 June 1923 – 14 June 2012) was an Australian rules footballer who played for West Torrens in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL).

Hank began his senior playing career with the wartime combination of West Torrens–Port Adelaide in 1944. He then moved to West Torrens the next year when the official SANFL competition resumed, featuring prominently in the centre in Torrens' winning Grand Final side that triumphed that year over their former wartime partners Port Adelaide.

Hank's brilliant start to his career continued in 1946 with the first of back-to-back Magarey Medals – the SANFL's highest individual award for the "fairest and most brilliant" player.

In 1946 he was also selected for the first of 27 state games for South Australia. He went on to captain the state side between 1951 and 1954 and earned selection in the inaugural All-Australian team for his performances during the 1953 Adelaide Carnival.

Throughout his career Hank was known for his fine ball handling and his distinctive left foot drop-kicks. Hank played in the centre or across half-forward with immense courage and tantalising elusiveness. In his latter years he played despite serious injuries and when finally retired in 1958 he had played a total of 224 games.

In total Hank won the West Torrens' best and fairest award nine times (six in a row between 1945 and 1950). He captained his club for nine seasons and was captain-coach in 1951 and he was a member of West Torrens' last ever premiership team in 1953.