Reflecting on all the topical milestones and achievements, past and present, as we head into Round 10 of the 2018 season. This is 'Footy Flashbacks'....

Hawthorn has a great record of returning to the winning list against West Coast after heavy losses in previous weeks. In fact, it was against West Coast in 1994 that the Hawks produced what was surely the most stunning week-to-week turnaround in the club’s history.

In Rounds 2 to 4 of 1994 the Hawks lost three matches by a combined total of 268 points including crushing defeats to North Melbourne by 127 points and Carlton by 87 points. Thus, the Hawks were given no chance against the high-flying Eagles when they travelled to Subiaco in Round 5 1994. 

However, the return from injury of Jason Dunstall, Chris Langford and Jason Taylor transformed the team, and, after a slow start, the Hawks stunned the home crowd by taking complete control and winning by 71 points - 19.15.129 to 8.10.58. Dunstall kicked five goals and debutant Tim Hargreaves four, while the leading possession-getters were Anthony Condon (30) and Darren Jarman (25).

Hawthorn produced a similar feat in Round 5 last season. Four losses to start the season, including consecutive defeats by 86 points, left only the most optimistic Hawks’ fans expecting victory against the Eagles at the MCG.

However, the Hawks led at every change before running out 50-point winners – 19.11.125 to 11.9.75. Four players (Breust, Gunston. O’Brien and Roughead) kicked three goals, while Ben McEvoy was outstanding in the ruck and the midfield was led superbly by Tom Mitchell and Liam Shiels.

This week marks the 25^th anniversary of one of the best individual goals in Hawthorn history.

Jason Dunstall kicked eight goals against Footscray at the Western Oval in Round 10 1993, highlighted by a third quarter effort where he paddled the ball in front of him, beat several opponents and then turned onto his left foot and snapped truly. A great piece of individual brilliance in the Hawks’ 70-point win!

This Sunday’s game will be the 50^th meeting between the Hawks and Eagles since the latter entered the competition in 1987. The head-to-head sees the Hawks trailing 23-26. This record which would be positive if Hawthorn had not lost the first two encounters in 1987 by 12 points and one point, in a year when the Hawks made the Grand Final and the Eagles did not make the Five. 

Hawthorn has won its last nine home games against West Coast, last suffering defeat in a home game at the MCG in 2006. The wins have come at MCG (4 times), University of Tasmania Stadium (4 times) and Docklands (once). In addition, Hawthorn won the 2015 Grand Final against West Coast at the MCG. 

Read: Hawks looking to extend Eagles streak

The Hawks have played the Eagles once at Docklands, which was in 2013 and resulted in a 20-point win to the Hawks. After extremely accurate kicking by both teams, West Coast led 6.2 to 6.0 at quarter time, but Hawthorn then gained the ascendancy. Jack Gunston and Jarryd Roughead both finished with five goals, while Luke Breust booted three. 

Hawthorn played eight home games at Docklands from 2000 to 2006, and more recently has had a further three there - in 2013, 2015 and 2017. The Hawks have only won five of these 11 home games at Docklands, but overall at the venue have won 42, lost 28 and drawn one of 71 games.

Calder Cannons U18s have provided Hawthorn with fewer players than most other TAC Cup clubs. Mitchell Lewis joins a select group which also includes Zac Dawson and Matthew Little.

Hawthorn has a positive Round 10 record with 48 wins and 45 defeats, including wins in seven of the last eight seasons, the only blemish in that period being a defeat versus Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval in 2014.

Jason Dunstall’s effort in Round 10 1993 has already been mentioned, but the game also saw Darren Baxter play well against his former club and John Platten claim BOG honours in Hawthorn’s 20.12.132 to 9.8.62 win in front of 19,397 at the Western Oval. 

30 years ago, in Round 10 1988, Hawthorn achieved the rare feat of winning a game but having none of its players receive a Brownlow vote. Hawthorn beat St Kilda 21.11.137 to 17.19.121, having trailed by 23 points at half-time, with Dermott Brereton’s brilliant final quarter and total of six goals a crucial factor. Unfortunately, Brereton also got reported in the third term and ended up getting suspended for six weeks.

40 years ago, in Round 10 1978, shocking inaccuracy put Hawthorn ins serious trouble of losing to Geelong at Princes Park. At three quarter time the Hawks trailed by 15 points – 4.20 to 8.11 – but then unleashed a stunning 8.4 to 0.2 final term to win by 35 points – 12.24.96 to 8.13.61. Peter Knights was in brilliant form in his customary role at centre-half-back before being shifted up forward where he kicked three goals.

Jarryd Roughead set a new club record of eight goals against West Coast in Launceston in 2014, passing Jason Dunstall, who had kicked seven against the Eagles in both 1988 and 1989.

Lance Franklin holds the Round 10 record as his 13 against North Melbourne in 2012 surpassed the previous round record of nine, held jointly by Peter Knights (1985), Paul Hudson (1991) and Jason Dunstall (1998), against Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon respectively.