This Friday night, Hawthorn has the opportunity to complete 10 consecutive wins for just the sixth time in its history.
The previous occasions when the Hawks have won 10 or more games in a row were sequences of 12 in 1961 and 2013; 11 in 1971 and 1975; and 10 in 1983-84. The current sequence of 9 wins includes the last four home and away games of 2013, three Finals and the first two games of this season.
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Hawthorn takes a mixed record in Grand Final rematches into this week’s clash with last season’s Grand Final opponent Fremantle. The Hawks have won seven and lost nine of their previous rematches, doing slightly better when runner-up the previous season (3-3), than as reigning premier (4-6). The four wins as reigning premier were over North Melbourne (1979), Essendon (1984), Carlton (1987) and Geelong (1990).
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Hawthorn has recorded its fourth consecutive win in matches decided by six points or fewer. The sequence began with the 5-point win over Adelaide in the 2012 Preliminary Final, and has continued with a 3-point success against North Melbourne in Round 5 last season, the 5-point triumph against Geelong in last September’s Preliminary Final and the 4-point victory against Essendon on Friday night.
In total, 220 of Hawthorn’s 1857 games have been decided by 6 points or fewer and the ledger is almost square with the Hawks winning 104, losing 106 and drawing 10. Of the 220, 15 have been against Essendon and, after Friday night, the Hawks now have an 8-7 advantage in them. The previous game decided by under a goal between the two clubs was resulted in a one point win to Hawthorn in 2006, with Mark Williams kicking the winning goal.
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Hawthorn had a remarkable Round 3 record between 1971 and 1992, winning 19 and losing just 3. The Hawks also have done well in Round 3 in the Clarkson era, winning 7 and losing just 2.
The only recent blemish was a 2010 loss to the Western Bulldogs at Docklands, which has been followed by three big MCG wins - by 63 points (Richmond 2011), 56 points (Adelaide 2012) and 55 points (Collingwood 2013). These past three wins have led to Hawthorn having a positive overall record in the round - 46 wins and 43 losses from 89 matches.
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Angus Litherland’s debut sees Claremont edge closer to East Fremantle as the WAFL club which has produced the most Hawthorn players. East Fremantle (10) and Claremont (9) are well ahead of the next highest, East Perth and West Perth with 4 each. The best Hawthorn recruit from Claremont was undoubtedly Ben Allan, best and fairest winner in the 1991 Premiership season.
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Since losing the 2010 Elimination Final, Hawthorn has won its last five matches against Fremantle, one short of the record winning sequence of six recorded from 1998 to 2001. Overall, the Hawks hold a commanding 21 to 7 advantage in the overall head-to-head between the two clubs.
With seven of the last eight Hawthorn home games against Fremantle have been at Aurora Stadium, matches between the two clubs in Melbourne have been rare.
The two clubs’ only previous home and away game at the MCG was in Round 11 2011, a game which saw the Hawks kick 8.1 to 1.3 in the final quarter to turn an 18 point three quarter time deficit into a 22 point win – 17.9.111 to 13.11.89. Cyril Rioli kicked 5 and Luke Breust 3 (after coming on as the sub) with others in the best being Michael Osborne, Sam Mitchell and Grant Birchall.
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The individual goal kicking record for Hawthorn in Round 3 is 11 kicked by Leigh Matthews versus Essendon at Waverley in 1973. Michael Moncrieff had a particular liking for Round 3, kicking 10 in both 1974 versus South Melbourne and 1976 versus Collingwood. The most goals by a Hawthorn player against Fremantle is the tally of 8 by Mark Williams in Round 1 2006, at Aurora Stadium.
