HAWTHON finds itself sitting pretty at the top of the ladder, primed to defend their title for another season.

The loss to Melbourne last week has many suggesting the Hawks don’t have enough gas in the tank to become the second team in VFL/AFL history to win four-consecutive premierships.

But perhaps it was the loss the reigning premiers had to have?

Interestingly, the Hawks have lost one of their last five home-and-away games in each of the past four years.

In fact, only two Hawthorn Premiership teams (1961 and 1988) have not lost at least once in the last five home and away games of the season.

So how are Hawthorn placed after Round 20 compared to the last three years? We took a look back through the stats.

2016

After Round 20:              

Ladder position: 1st

15 wins, four losses

Points: 60

Percentage: 120.7 percent

Leading disposal winner: Jordan Lewis – 19 games, 511 disposals

Leading goal kicker: Jack Gunston – 19 games, 44 goals

 

2015

The Hawks had just completed a six-goal win over Geelong in Round 20 and were well-placed on the AFL ladder, sitting third with a healthy percentage of 154.2 ahead of games against Port Adelaide (loss), Brisbane (win) and Carlton (win).

After Round 20:               

Ladder position: 3rd

14 wins, five losses

Points: 56

Percentage: 154.2 percent

Leading disposal winner: Sam Mitchell – 18 games, 550 disposals

Leading goal kicker: Jack Gunston – 19 games, 41 goals

 

2014

Hawthorn put Melbourne to the sword in Round 20, giving their percentage a boost and ensuring they led all comers to sit atop the ladder ahead of their remaining games against Fremantle (loss), Geelong (win) and Collingwood (win).

After Round 20:               

Ladder position: 1st

15 wins, 4 losses

Points: 60

Percentage: 142.6 percent

Leading disposal winner: Jordan Lewis – 18 games, 486 disposals

Leading goal kicker: Jarryd Roughead – 18 games, 55 goals

 

2013

The Hawks enjoyed a 46-point win over the Saints in Round 20 after a loss to Richmond the week before, seeing them maintain their one-game buffer over Geelong at the top of the ladder. Hawthorn went on to win their last three games against Collingwood, North Melbourne and Sydney.

After Round 20:            

Ladder position: 1st

16 wins, 3 losses

Points: 64

Percentage: 138.4 percent

Leading disposal winner: Sam Mitchell – 18 games, 529 disposals

Leading goal kicker: Jarryd Roughead – 19 games, 59 goals