Hawthorn, and Alastair Clarkson more specifically, has famously become a factory for budding senior coaches.

Seven current senior coaches have worked under, or in Stuart Dew’s case played under, Clarkson across his 15 seasons at the Hawks’ helm.

Add to that list departed Carlton Coach Brendon Bolton as well as John Barker, who was a caretaker coach for Carlton for 14 games in 2015 and played under Clarkson for two years, and you have nine apprentices that the four-time premiership master coach has come up against.

But, of this class of nine, there is one student that Clarkson has had particular difficulty overcoming: Chris Fagan.

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In his four encounters with the Brisbane coach since he took over the reins in 2017, Clarkson has recorded just one win – in the pair’s first meeting in Round 8 2017.

Fagan has since managed three on the trot against Clarkson.

The Hawks face arguably its biggest challenge in this burgeoning rivalry yet this weekend.

The Lions are arguably the most in-form side in the competition, while the Hawks remain in the hunt for finals if they can extend their winning streak for another week.

Needless to say, all eyes will be on Launceston come 1.45pm this Saturday.