Claremont Champion Earns Legend Status in 2025Thursday, April 10, 2025 - 9:53 AM

Anybody who watched Ken Hunter play for Claremont or Carlton in his decorated career had nothing but admiration for the courage and class he displayed on the field.

The wiry defender played 91 games with Claremont between 1975 and 1980 before being recruited to Carlton where he was part of a Blues dynasty, claiming three premierships in his time at Princes Park.

For the generation that watched Hunter’s career it comes as no surprise that he’s been named the Claremont Ball Legend in 2025.

“It was an unexpected honour and very humbling,” Hunter said.

“Having the football with my head on it will be quite humorous with it being kicked around all year and me receiving three broken jaws while playing at Claremont.” 

Hunter’s football resume is one to be admired, including two All Australian selections, representing WA a dozen times and winning a Fairest and Best in a Carlton Premiership year.

“By the time I went to Carlton I was pretty hardened and I couldn’t wait to get there,” he said.

“I wanted to prove to myself that I could play in the best competition in Australia.” 

The 67-year-old is grateful for the time he spent at the Tigers at the beginning of his career.

“My fondest memories were playing with a group of talented young players coached by Graham Moss that improved every year,” Hunter said.

“The Claremont Football Club social life was the envy of all other clubs.

“Unfortunately, I don’t see many players from that era as I have lived in Melbourne for many years now.

“From time to time I may speak about friendships that were formed throughout my playing days in WA.”

Hunter continues to play an important off field role as a leading figure of the FifthQtr Foundation, a charity set up to assist players from AFL and AFLW deal with issues and adjust to life once their footy careers are over.

“We all have seen and heard of former players that have struggled beyond the game,” he said.

“So, we created FifthQtr Foundation, a not-for-profit mental health and wellbeing organisation.

“Our aim is to provide support and information to past players and their families to have the best quality of life.

A Western Australian Football Hall of Fame Inductee and a member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame, Hunter is now officially a Legend at Tigerland.