Five-time premiership player and former Hawthorn Captain Gary Ayres has returned to the brown and gold.

The dual Norm Smith Medallist was recently appointed to a new role in the club’s administration department, helping promote fundraising efforts for the Kennedy Community Centre as Capital Campaign Executive.

Ayres will work closely alongside former premiership teammate and fellow Hawthorn Hall of Famer, Rodney ‘Rocket’ Eade, who started his role as Capital Campaign Executive earlier this year.

Playing 269 games for the Hawks across 16 seasons, Ayres is among the most revered former figures within club’s four walls, with a Peter Crimmins Medal (1986) included in his long list of achievements in, along with being named in Hawthorn’s Team of the Century.

Ayres was also inducted into Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

Should you wish to learn more about the club’s critical fundraising efforts, you can contact Ayres directly via email: gary.ayres@hawthornfc.com.au.