This round marks the 10th anniversary of Alistair Clarkson’s first win as Hawthorn coach.

In front of 27,778 at the MCG in Round 4 2005, the Hawks beat the Brisbane Lions, which had played in the previous four Grand Finals, by 46 points – 18.7.115 to 10.9.69. Mark Williams kicked 6 goals, while Sam Mitchell (36 disposals), Shane Crawford (32) and Peter Everitt were outstanding.

Few would have imagined that by the end of Clarkson’s fourth season as coach his Hawthorn team would repeat the score of 18.7.115 in winning a Grand Final. And that by the 10th anniversary he would have added a further three Flags to the nine the club had already secured.

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Luke Hodge’s 44 disposals against the Western Bulldogs equaled the Hawthorn record for most disposals in a game.

Prior to Sunday, only three other Hawks - Terry Wallace, Anthony Condon and Jordan Lewis - had collected 44 disposals in a game. Wallace did so against Melbourne at Waverley in 1983, Condon against Carlton at Princes Park in 1991 and Lewis versus Fremantle at Subiaco last season.

Since accurate disposal record began being recorded fifty years ago, other Hawthorn to have racked up 40 or more disposals in a game include Leigh Matthews, Robert Dipierdomenico, Richard Loveridge, John Platten, Darrin Pritchard, Shane Crawford and Sam Mitchell.

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In this Anzac Day round, we should remember the ten Hawthorn League players who lost their lives in the Second World War, or died as a result as a result of war wounds, or war-related illness – Jack Drake, Alf Giblett, Bruce Hone, Alex Nash, Richard Pirrie, Jack Price, Len Thomas, Max Wheeler, Leo ‘Gus’ Young and Harold Zucker.

There were also a number of players who represented the club in its days in the Metropolitan Junior Football Association and VFA who lost their lives on active duty in the First World War. Their names include Hugh Callan, John Collins, Don McConville, Joe Slater and Joseph Sorby.

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Hawthorn and Port Adelaide met in a top-of-the-table clash at the Adelaide Oval in Round 10 last season with the undermanned Hawks going down to the Power by 14 points. The Hawks went into the game without stars including Roughead, Mitchell, Gibson, Lake and Rioli and facing a Power team which had lost just one game.

At various stages of the game it looked like Port Adelaide were going to draw away, but the Hawks always fought back, particularly with an inspired burst late in the third quarter. The final score was Port 15.10.100 to Hawthorn 13.8.86. Jordan Lewis was clearly the Hawks best player with 38 disposals and 2 goals.

Hawthorn won 5 of 13 ‘away’ games against Port Adelaide’s previous home ground, Football Park, the victories coming in 2000, 2007, 2011, 2012 and 2013. The Hawks also beat Port in an away Final in 2001. This is the 7th consecutive season has played away to Port Adelaide, with the previous six encounters producing three wins apiece.

Overall, Hawthorn and Port Adelaide have met 29 times with the Hawks winning 13 and losing 16. A poor record against the Power has improved significantly in recent seasons with Hawthorn winning 6 of the past 7 matches between the two clubs, including the dramatic win in last season’s Preliminary Final.

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In Round 4, Hawthorn has won 39, lost 48, played two draws (1939 and 1996) and had one bye (1991). Hawthorn took longer to win in Round 4 than in any other round. It was not until 1941 that the club tasted success after 15 losses and one draw. The Hawks best Round 4 sequence was eight consecutive wins from 1974 to 1981. The past two seasons have produced wins by 42 points against Fremantle at Aurora Stadium in 2013 and 99 points away to Gold Coast last season.

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40 years ago, in Round 4 1975, the Hawks made it 4 wins in a row at the start of the season with a comfortable 30 point win against South Melbourne at the Lakeside Oval – 13.21.99 to 9.15.69. Michael Tuck was the leading kick-getter with 24, followed by Alan Martello and the Matthews brothers, Leigh and Kelvin, with 18.

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Michael Moncrieff has the best tally in Round 4, kicking 9 goals at Waverley Park against South Melbourne in 1979. Lance Franklin’s 8 goals at the MCG in 2011 is the highest tally by a Hawthorn player against Port Adelaide. A number of Hawks have booted 6 against the Power beginning with Aaron Lord in the first game between the two clubs in 1997, and followed by Trent Croad (2000), Franklin (2008), Cyril Rioli (2011) and Jarryd Roughead in last year’s Preliminary Final.