Mil Hanna

Career : 1986 - 1997
Debut : Round 1, 1986 vs Hawthorn, aged 19 years, 360 days
Carlton Player No. 934
Games : 190
Goals : 83
Last Game : Round 22, 1997 vs Richmond, aged 31 years, 147 days
Guernsey Nos. 47 (1 game) and 13 (189 games)
Height : 186 cm (6 ft. 2 in.)
Weight : 89 kg (14 stone, 0 lbs.)
DOB : 5 April, 1966
All Australian 1992
Premiership Player 1995
Carlton Hall of Fame (2016)

Simply called “Mil” or “The Cranium,” Milham Hannah was the first Lebanese-born player in the VFL/AFL, and a cult figure at Carlton during a celebrated eleven-season career from 1986 to 1997. Wonderfully athletic and equipped with a powerful physique, Mil had been affected by a condition called alopecia at a very young age. As a consequence his hair was already thinning by his teenage years, so he shaved his head soon after making Carlton’s senior team, and that made him unmistakable on the football field.

After arriving in Australia, Hanna’s family settled in East Brunswick, the suburb immediately to Carlton’s north. Mil came to love the local code of football in primary school, and by his early teens he was regarded as a future star. In 1982 he was playing Under-19 football at Carlton, the year before he represented Victoria in the Teal Cup Interstate Carnival and was selected as an All Australian. Promoted to the Blues’ Reserves team in 1985, he made a big impression playing as a ruck-rover or half-forward. After helping drive his team through to a losing Grand Final against Hawthorn, he was awarded Reserves Best First Year Player.

In 1986, Hanna completed a solid pre-season preparation and was named for his senior debut against Hawthorn in the opening round of the season at VFL Park. Playing at full-forward in guernsey number 47, he took a good mark inside the first minute of play, but his set-shot for goal just missed. Just a few minutes later after leading for a mark Hanna left the field with a footballer’s worst nightmare – a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

After surgery and a long recuperation, Hanna earned a recall to the Blues’ seniors in round 7, 1987, when Carlton travelled out to Waverley once more to meet Geelong. Mil had switched to jumper number 13 by then, and would wear it for the rest of his career. At half-back alongside Jon Dorotich and Shane Robertson, Mil played a solid game to collect 15 possessions and two marks as the Blues trounced the Cats by nine goals. A week later at the MCG, he kicked his first career goal in Carlton’s big win over North Melbourne. By mid-season he had played eight games before his form tapered off, so he was sent back to the Reserves to freshen up. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to force his way back into a powerful Carlton combination that went on to claim the ’87 flag, so he had to be content with his role at half-back in the Reserves Grand Final victory over St Kilda.

Determined to get back into the senior team, Mil worked intensely on his strength and aerobic fitness in 1988, playing 16 senior games including consecutive finals losses to Hawthorn and Melbourne. Over the ensuing three seasons he developed an imposing muscular frame that, combined with his natural speed, produced a tall utility who could play anywhere on the ground. In round 4 1991, he kicked 8 goals at full-forward against Melbourne at Waverley, yet the Blues still lost. A month later, Carlton went down to Hawthorn at the same venue, despite Hanna’s excellent 29-possession game on centre wing.

Mil brought up game number 100 in round 15, 1992 against Richmond, then savoured the thrill of running out to play alongside Greg Williams and Brett Sholl in his first senior Grand Final against Essendon the following year – although that occasion quickly turned into a disaster. Early in the second quarter, Hanna was hit high by the forearm of Bomber Dean Wallis, and all but knocked unconscious. The field umpire didn’t even award a free-kick, and with Hanna off the field for most of the game, the Blues were eventually beaten by 44 points.

Twice more after that - in round 4, 1994 and round 10, 1995, both times against Hawthorn – Mil posted five-goal hauls, before he reached the pinnacle of his career when Carlton brushed aside Geelong to take the ’95 Premiership. In the most emphatic of Grand Final victories, the Blues’ centre line of Hanna, Brett Ratten and Anthony Koutoufides reigned supreme in a 10-goal triumph over the Cats. Hanna's brilliant opening quarter is fondly remembered, as he scorched the outer wing and delivered beautifully to Brad Pearce for a special goal amid Carlton’s early onslaught. It was game number 172 that afternoon for Mil, and he must have thought that he could go on forever.

That was not be however, because a series of chronic soft tissue injuries began to plague him from 1996, and he added only another 18 games before his retirement at the end of the 1997 season. Still the club record holder for games played in the “devils number,” Hanna was inducted into the Carlton Hall of Fame in 2016.

One of the all-time most under-rated footballers. Capable of brilliant individual bursts that showcased both his dynamic athletic background and raw power His physical frame redefined positional AFL football on the wing. A Lebanese version of Jamie Oliver.

Milestones

50 Games : Round 5, 1990 vs Footscray
100 Games : Round 15, 1992 vs Richmond
150 Games : Qualifying Final, 1994 vs Melbourne

Career Highlights

1985 - Reserves Best First Year Player Award
1985 - Reserves Equal Runner-up Goalkicker 38 goals
1985 - Equal 4th in the Gardiner Medal (Best and Fairest in the VFL Reserves Competition).
1987 - Reserves Premiership Player
1988 - 3rd Reserves Best & Fairest
1989 - 5th Best & Fairest
1991 - Equal 9th Best & Fairest
1992 - 2nd Best & Fairest
1992 - All Australian
1995 - Premiership Player
1997 - Pre-Season Premiership Player

1983 Teal Cup - Mil Hanna

https://www.facebook.com/101540531457398/videos/628198991213312

Video

Links

Articles: The Longest Roads to Glory | Triumphs and Tribulations of a Blue Debut

Blueseum: Summary of playing statistics for Mil Hanna | Career Breakdown for Mil Hanna

Gallery

Mil Hanna
Hanna - autograph.jpg
1987 - Mil Hanna's setback (08/04/87).
1987 - Moz on Hanna (15/04/87).
1987 - Mil Hanna to return (15/04/87).
1987 - Mil Hanna a gun trainer (13/05/87).
1987 Rd 9 - Mil Hanna marks.
Mil Hanna kicking the ball.
1987 Rd 12 - Mil Hanna marks over his opponent.
1987 Rd 14 - Mil Hanna and his One-Percenters.
1987 Rd 12 - Mil Hanna marks.
1987 Reserves GF - How long Hanna?
1987 Reserves GF - Mil Hanna shoots for goal.
1985 - Look out for young Milham Hanna (Ted Whitten) 06/06/85.
1983 - Vic U/17's win title (Mil Hanna voted best player) 28/05/83.
1995 GF - The Heroes.
1995 GF - Mil Hanna.
1986 - Hanna; get the name right! (27/03/86).Inside Football.
1986 - Mil Hanna's injury battle.Inside Football
1986 - Hanna on his way back (04/09/86).Inside Football.
1986 - Hanna right for start of '87 season (04/09/86).Inside Football.
1986 - Mil Hanna.Pic: Inside Football.
1997 Night GF - The triumphant Blues.Pic: Inside Football.
1988 Rd 1 - Hanna spoils Curran.Inside Football.
1988 Rd 3 - Hanna's niche.Inside Football.
1988 - Mil Hanna Profile (13/05/88).Football Record.
1988 Rd 18 - Hanna spoils Richard Osborne.Pic: Inside Football.
1988 Qual. Final - Mil Hanna.Pic: Inside Football.
1988 Qual. Final - Blues belt out the victory song.Pic: Inside Football.
1989 Pre-Season Game - Hanna & Fotia listen to Walls.Pic: Inside Football.
1989 - Mil Hanna article (29/04/89).Pic: Football Record.
1989 Rd 6 - Mil Hanna in top form.Pic: Inside Football.
1989 - Mil Hanna helps out (13/05/89).Football Record.
1989 Rd 11 - Hanna stars against Sydney.Pic: Football Record.
1989 - Victorian Rep. Teams.Football Record.
1989 Rd 14 - Hanna about to tackle Anderson.Pic: Inside Football.
1989 - Mil Hanna at training.Pic: Inside Football.
1989 - Hanna comes of age (Nov 89) page 2 of 2.Inside Football.
1989 - Hanna comes of age (Nov 89) page 1 of 2.Inside Football.
1989 Rd 5 - Mil Hanna.Pic: Football Life.
1989 Rd 5 - Mil Hanna fires off a handball.Pic: Inside Football.
1990 - Mil Hanna; player to watch this season.Inside Football.
1990 Rd 3 - Blues doing their warm-up lap.
1990 Rd 5 - Mil Hanna to play his 50th game.
1990 Rd 8 - Mil Hanna swoops onto the footy.Pic: Inside Football.
1990 - Mil Hanna; Teal Cup Player.Pic: Football Record.
1990 Rd 17 - Hanna about to pick up the footy.Pic: Football Record.
1990 - Lockett's ex Teal Cup teammate Mil Hanna.Pic: Inside Football.
1991 Rd 3 - Hanna mis-match for Zanotti.Inside Football.
1991 Rd 5 - Mill Hanna & Billy Brownless clash.Pic: Inside Football.
1991 Rd 4 - Mil Hanna's 8 goals equals club record Vs Melb.Football Record.
1991 - Mil Hanna at footy clinic.Pic: Football Record.
1991 Rd 6 - Mil Hanna off-line in front of goals.Inside Football.
1991 Rd 9 - Mil Hanna takes a strong mark.Pic: Inside Football.
1991 Rd 12 - Mil Hanna in pursuit of the footy.Pic: Inside Football.
1991 Rd 15 - Mil Hanna snaps a goal.Pic: Inside Football.
Hanna Leads Hawk Ray Jencke To The Ball.
1992 Rd 6 - Hanna marks in front of Winmar.Pic: Inside Football.
1992 Rd 8 - Pies Centenary Game: Mil Hanna spoils.Pic: Inside Football.
1992 Rd 15 - Mil Hanna's 100th game.
1992 - Mil Hanna a day early for function (01/07/92).Inside Football.
1992 - Contrasting hair styles of Tom Alvin & Mil Hanna.Pic: Football Record.
1992 Rd 22 -Mil Hanna on the charge.Pic: Inside Football.
1992 - Mil Hanna cartoon.Pic: Inside Football.
Mil Hanna Steers Through Another Goal
1992 Rd 19 - Mil Hanna Vs Nth Melb.Pic: Inside Football.
1993 - Silvagni & Hanna about to sign contracts.
1993 GF - Mil Hanna applies a strong tackle.Pic: Inside Football.
1994 - Rhino's Report on Mil Hanna (20/04/94).Pic: Inside Football.
1994 - Mil Hanna playing for the Big V.Pic: Inside Football.
1994 Rd 16 - Mil Hanna tries to mark the footy.Pic: Inside Football.
1994 - Gay Blues; Hanna & Kouta (24/08/94).Inside Football.
1994 - Blues Notes (31/08/94).Inside Football.
1994 Semi-Final - Mil Hanna & Gary Ablett jostle for the ball.Pic: Inside Football.
1994 - Hanna & Ratten to be traded? (05/10/94).Inside Football
1994 Rd 10 - Mil Hanna & Tony Liberatore tangle.Pic: Inside Football.
1995 Rd 3 - Hanna & Christou combine to spoil Osborne.
1995 Rd 1 - Mil Hanna about to offload a handball.Pic: Sports Weekly.
1995 Rd 5 - Thumbs up for Mil Hanna's game.Inside Football.
1995 - Mil still fits the Bill (03/05/95).Pic: Sports Weekly.
1995 - Mil Hanna bares his soul (03/05/95).Pic: Sports Weekly.
1995 - Carlton players selected for State Squads (24/05/95).
1995 Rd 18 - Mil Hanna takes a safe mark.
1995 Rd 20 - Mil Hanna takes a big grab over the pack.
1995 Rd 20 - Mil's winging it to the top.
1995 - Mil Hanna cartoon.Pic: Football Record.
1995 - Mil Hanna.Pic: Football Record.
1995 GF - Mil short on juice.
1995 GF - Hanna and his new 'hat'.
1996 - Hanna regains his faith (07/08/96).
$Mil Hanna Battles Hawthorn\'s Ray Jencke For The Ball.$

Mil Hanna Battles Hawthorn\'s Ray Jencke For The Ball.
1993 GF Mil Hanna Lies Stunned Courtesy Of Dean Wallis.
1993 GF Mil Hanna Takes A Beauty.
1993 GF Mil Hanna Tangles With Bomber Paul Hills
1997 - Mil Hanna's bandanna (Frb 97).
1996 - Mil Hanna.
1997 Prac Match - Mil Hanna.
1996 Rd 12 - Mil Hanna.
1996 Rd 19 - Camporeale and Hanna.
1996 Rd 21 - Blue boys warming up.
1996 Rd 22 - Mil Hanna.
1996 Rd 22 - Mil Hanna & Ron De Iulio.
1996 Qual. Final - Mil Hanna & Justin Madden.
1996 Qual. Final - Mil Hanna.
Mil Hanna.
1989 - Big V Rep. Teams.
1991 - Big V Rep. Mil Hanna.
1992 - All Australians: Mil Hanna & Stephen Kernahan.
1993 Qual. Final - Blues win First Night Final.
1994 - Mil Hanna.
1994 - Mil Hanna article (10/09/94).
1993 Brownlow: Mil Hanna.
1994 - Mil Hanna.
Mil Hanna on the charge against North Melbourne.jpgImage courtesy of Carlton Football Club.
Mil Hanna Under PressureImage courtesy of the Herald-Sun.
1995 Prelim. Final Mil Hanna & Justin Madden Image courtesy of the Herald-Sun.
Mil Hanna Breaks Away In DefenceImage courtesy of the Herald-Sun.
Hanna Hunts The FootballImage courtesy of the Herald-Sun.
2016 - Mil Hanna.Image courtesy of the Herald-Sun.
1995 GF Mil Hanna Takes A Big MarkEdited image - originally submitted by Bombasheldon.
1989 - Mil Hanna with Lou Richards Mil Hanna with Lou Richards. Richards former Collingwood captain and media legend. Looks like Lou tipped against the Blues. Image; Big Footy web site.
1991 - Mil Hanna.
1981 - Future Blue; East Brunswick U/16 Premiership Captain Mil Hanna.
Mil Hanna cartoon.
1997 - Mil Hanna.
1996 Qual. Final - Mil Hanna on the burst.
1992 - Carlton's 100th win at the MCG.