Thanks for the Memories No 1: Nick 'Dutchy' Holland

[Leather Poisoning]

First of a series of threads to get us through the off season in which we take a walk down memory name to acknowledge some of the great Hawthorn team men and contributors.

First in the series is Nick Dutchy Holland:

First picked up by the Hawks in the 1992 national draft at pick #14
Vice Captain 1999-2003
Leading Goal kicker 1997 and 2000
Rising Star 1995
SA State Representative: 1996-1999
International Rules Representative: 1998
Peter Crimmins Medallist: 2000

Career Totals (avg per game):
Games: 179
Kicks: 1653 (9.2)
Handballs: 822 (4.6)
Disposals: 2477 (13.8)
Marks: 1211 (6.8)
Goals 239 (1.3)
Behinds 137 (0.9)
Tackles 186 (1.0)
Hit Outs 435 (2.4)
Click here for a season by season detailed list of stats.

Dutchy was known as a great clubman and an all round good bloke. He won a rising star early in his career but battled with shoulder injuries after looking like he could be absolutely anything.

He was in the league's top 10 for total marks five years running. Without a doubt he was an excellent mark.

One thing that always stands out in my memory of Nicky Holland was that kicking style of his. You really had no idea (and I'll hazard a guess that he didn't either) of whether he'd his target. It looked awkward, it had you nervous every time he kicked it, but overall it was an absolute treat to have the guy as part of the hawks in a difficult period.

So what are your memories of the big Dutchman? Good, bad and indifferent?

 

[obscura]

Constantly riddled by injury and an article in the age about his VFL career.
But in his prime, he could take one hell of a mark.

 

[Hodginator]

Good thread. Used to be one of my favourite players. What a champ.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Hey I just found that Dutchy has a column on the ABC website, not bad writing:

http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/nick-holland-29590.html

 

[bards]

Weird kicking style I will agree with, not a great set shot from within 50, but I would like to see stats on his kicking from just outside, from memory he was more accurate once he was outside 50.

His rising star award came when he was playing in the ruck most of the time, due in part to injuries to our ruckmen, and also to the fact that one of them was probably Crawshay!

Formed part of what we thought was going to be one of the all time best spines (apart from 80's teams of course).

FB: Jon Hay

CHB: Trent Croad

C: Shane Crawford

CHF: Nick Holland

FF: Nathan Thompson

Sadly it all fell apart after 2001 for a lot of them.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Weird kicking style I will agree with, not a great set shot from within 50, but I would like to see stats on his kicking from just outside, from memory he was more accurate once he was outside 50.

His rising star award came when he was playing in the ruck most of the time, due in part to injuries to our ruckmen, and also to the fact that one of them was probably Crawshay!

Formed part of what we thought was going to be one of the all time best spines (apart from 80's teams of course).

FB: Jon Hay

CHB: Trent Croad

C: Shane Crawford

CHF: Nick Holland

FF: Nathan Thompson

Sadly it all fell apart after 2001 for a lot of them.

God, what could have been???

Jonny Hay was getting AA selections, Crawf just won a Brownlow, Holland was unstoppable, etc etc.

I suppose that's a lesson in assuming continued improvement?

 

[DannyJ]

A speccy he took in 1999 against the Kangaroos in a win by under a goal when we were total underdogs was a good memory.

Also his 2000 season. Was a gun that year.

 

[Pessimistic]

aga used to regularly put carey at CHB on him, even in era when the roos used to thrash us.

Once saw the two of them somultaneously hip and shoulder each other, feet off the ground.


Also - how would Dutchy have gone with todays arm chopping and hands in the back rules ? Pretty well I think

 

[grizzlym]

There's that story - apocryphal I'd suggest - about when he was being courted to move back home, and Dermie supposedly took him aside and told him his regret about not playing for one club. Holland had come off a stellar year or two and looked to be something very special in the making, sadly I don't remember him hitting those heights again.

Incidentally, I saw Nick on the train the other day.

 

[HAWKS HEROES]

i saw his last game for boxhill when his arm dislocated real bad it was not a pretty sight that is for sure the stories i have heard of him banging it back into place and going back to play has me in awe i know i could not do that and i do not know how he did it but he did he didn't this time as i think it was very bad by this time of his career

 

[mollyfud]

The one thing I think about when I think about Dutchy is to think how dominatant he would be if he played in this era with no hands in the back and no chopping the arms! Could take 20 marks a match, easy! Just thinking he probably was the for runner of Nick Reiwoldt.

Unfortunately, his legacy was hurt by his shoulder injuries and the fact the club signed him to a backend contract!

 

[MadMaxx]

Quick Anecdote.

My Brothers 40th, circa 96 or so, and a friend of a friend of a friend worked with dutch at crown, and asked if he wouldnt mind popping in for 15 mins or so to give my Brother and all his Hawk Mates a buzz..

So, Dutch turns up, to this party. he doesnt know anyone there, he has a match day sherrin signed by the entire 96 list, and presents it to Brother (Who is completely blown away), and then stays for 2 hours drinking softies and chatting to all the boys.

Not a paid appearance, organised the footy all off his own bat.

Nick Holland is a GREAT bloke.

PS. Sherrin still behind glass in the pool room, displayed with pics of the night.

 

[2Sewell4School]

i saw his last game for boxhill when his arm dislocated real bad it was not a pretty sight that is for sure the stories i have heard of him banging it back into place and going back to play has me in awe i know i could not do that and i do not know how he did it but he did he didn't this time as i think it was very bad by this time of his career

I was there that day also.

Raining sideways and only a handful of spectators to clap him as he was helped off by trainers.

It was clear he knew his time was up and the crowd was sombre afterwards, also sensing the end.

He looked completely spent.

Always felt it was an unjust end to his career.

 

[Jaeger]

Dutchy is a great bloke.

His best game, IMO, was when he kicked a bag against the Saints in '99 at Waverly when we were down by 63 points and won.

 

[The BIG X]

Dutchy is a great bloke.

His best game, IMO, was when he kicked a bag against the Saints in '99 at Waverly when we were down by 63 points and won.

What a game that was!!!!

Nick was also a great ambassador for HFC

 

[Pessimistic]

While that bunch of guys werent lucky enough to scale the heights of AFL success, the fact many of them have prominent AFL or media positions is testament to their character and thw character of the club.

PS Great series, I hope we get shayne stevenson at some point

 

[moginie]

He kicked the winning goal to sink the crows in 03. I'll always like him for that one.

 

[cambosis]

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtfElS9qvQs[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Arkadia]

Good player who was hampered by shoulder problems throughout his career.

 

[Hodge2NormSmith]

I saw alot of Nick, especially out at Waverley, was the 3rd best CHF behind Carey and Chris Grant, he played in an average side until 2000 and 2001 was when his body started to dessert him.

Was an awesome grab, good kick for goal from 50, but shakey inside 35 metres.

Took 15+ marks against Brisbane at the Gabba in 2000 and was the reason we won up there, we didn't win there again until 2008.

We were Top 4 in 1997 and he was in career best form when he was injured in about Round 13 and came back about round 18-19, we barely won another game after he went down.

He was a huge barometer for us.
Shared the B&F in 2000 and was fantastic.

Copped a bum wrap for being on a huge back ended contract (not his fault) by the time his body had given up.

Is compared unfavourably by some to John Barker, I love JB, but he only emerged in 2000 and peaked in 2001 but was also crucified by injury.

Overall Nick gave better, more consistent service over a longer period.

 

[Wittman10]

Loved Dutchy as a player. One aspect of his game rarely mentioned was his running ability. In full flight ran like he had a stick up his derriere, but covered the ground very effectively.

Favourite game was in about '95 when we played the Pies at Waverley, took my missus to her first game of footy, got there about 2 mins before bounce, absolutely pissing down, no wet weather gear, got absolutely drenched. Dutchy plays in the ruck, destroys Monkhorst and we win by about 10 goals. Very crapped off GF, two very happy Hawks men (me and a mate) even managed to sink a few!

Happy days.

Poor bugger couldn't get his arms higher than his head in the end. Sad to watch him go around in the last couple of years.

 

[hawks_time]

[youtube]mtfElS9qvQs[/youtube]

Fixed the youtube for you.

 

[HAWKS HEROES]

cambosis thank you and hawks time thank you for fixing it

 

[Hawk4Life]

At 17, I was in love with 'Dutchy'! I had the opportunity to get a photo with him after a match at Waverley Park against the Lions (think it might've been ANZAC day)...was such a nice guy and stuck around to chat to the fans that stayed back and waited for the players to come out and sign autographs etc...I kept that photo in my purse for years.

I even named my dog 'Dutchy'...she turned 13 on Nov '2'....she outlasted his career and is still going strong.

 

[cama30]

Was my favourite player growing up!! Cried when i thought he was leaving for port adelaide in 96!!! Always gave 100% and thats all you wanted from the players!!!
anyway when i think of dutchy this is what i think of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13tSFJIGrb0