In recent years, Hawthorn has improved its records both against Carlton and in Round 17.

Hawthorn’s current 11-game winning run against Carlton started exactly ten years ago, in Round 17 2005.

Having lost to the Blues by a goal at Docklands earlier in 2005, the Hawks got their revenge with a 24-point win at the MCG in Round 17 – 19.13.127 to 15.13.103.

Luke Hodge was best-on-ground with 34 disposals, Mark Williams kicked five goals and Joel Smith was also excellent.

Prior to the current sequence, Hawthorn’s previous record winning run against the Blues was seven from 1984 to 1986.

Overall, Hawthorn has won 59 and lost 102 of its 161 games against Carlton.

The Hawks have not lost in Round 17 since 2009, having had a draw against St Kilda in 2010, a bye in 2011 and wins against Collingwood, Western Bulldogs and Adelaide in the last three seasons.

Overall, Hawthorn has played 87 games in Round 17 for 34 wins and 52 defeats, a deficit of 18 which is the biggest for any round.

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Perhaps the best ever home-and-away game between Hawthorn and Carlton took place in Round 17.

Forty years ago, in Round 17 1975, the Hawks and Blues entered the clash of co-tenants at Princes Park as the top two teams on the ladder, having lost a total of only three games between them for the season.

In glorious sunshine a crowd of over 31,000 saw Hawthorn prevail 15.15.105 to 15.11.101 after a titanic struggle.

The Hawks’ hero was Brian Douge, who came on as the 19^th man in the last quarter and kicked the winning goal at the Heatley Stand end with his only kick of the game.

This was only the seventh goal of his 72-game career, as he normally played as a back pocket.

Best players for Hawthorn were Peter Knights, Leigh Matthews, Stuart Trott, Alan Martello, Barry Rowlings and Peter Welsh.

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David Hale will join a growing list of individuals to play 100 games for Hawthorn after starting careers at other AFL clubs, if selected to play against Carlton.

Those who have done so in the last 20 years include Tony Woods, Paul Salmon, John Barker, Joel Smith, Brent Guerra, Josh Gibson and Shaun Burgoyne.

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Jarryd Roughead’s five goals against Sydney means he has now kicked 470 career goals, bringing him within striking distance of sixth place on the Hawthorn all-time goalkickers’ list.

That position is currently held by John Peck who booted 475 goals in his 213 game career.

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Many former Hawthorn players have gone onto distinguished coaching careers at other clubs, which involved coaching against the Hawks on numerous occasions.

However, this week’s scenario of a former Hawk (John Barker) acting as interim coach against the brown and gold is much rarer.

One previous example was in 2001 when Ben Allan took over as interim coach of a winless Fremantle after Round 9.

The Dockers managed to win just two of the remaining 13 games, but one of the two saw them come from 29 points down at half-time to beat Hawthorn at Docklands in Round 18.

The Hawks did better in Round 21 2009 when they played a Richmond side which had another former Hawk, Jade Rawlings acting as interim coach, securing a comfortable 42-point win.

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Fifty years ago, in Round 17 1965, Hawthorn kept alive its chances of avoiding the wooden spoon by defeating fellow struggler Footscray by 31 points at the Western Oval.

The Hawks were significantly assisted by the Bulldogs' inaccuracy which saw them kick 4.17.41 to Hawthorn’s 11.6.72.

John Peck maintained on track to top the League goalkicking with four goals, while Daryl Mares had the best game of his short Hawthorn career, booting three majors.

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Ninety years ago, in Round 17 1925, Hawthorn completed its debut season as a League club with a 25-point win against North Melbourne.

Hawthorn won 7.13.55 to 4.6.30 with Lew Gough continuing his good late season run of goals with three.

Unfortunately, the result was not enough to keep the club from claiming the first of its 11 wooden spoons, as Hawthorn’s three wins was fewer than fellow new entrants Footscray (four wins) and North (five wins).

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Hawthorn’s great goal-kickers never managed big bags against Carlton.

Peter Hudson, Leigh Matthews and Jason Dunstall all had a best of seven goals against the Blues – in 1968, 1978 and 1989 respectively.

The best individual tallies for Hawthorn against the Blues are nine by Peter Knights in 1985, and eight by Garry Young (in a losing side) in 1959 and by Jarryd Roughead in 2009.

Peter Hudson has kicked the most goals in Round 17, a tally of 10 recorded against St Kilda, at Waverley, in 1977.