40 years ago this round, Leigh Matthews played what was probably the best game of his illustrious career.

Matthews kicked 11 goals against Essendon at Waverley in Round 3 1973, which was a remarkable effort in itself, but what made it more amazing was that he spent a fair amount of the game on-the-ball accumulating 36 kicks.

Hawthorn had gone into the match in desperate need of a win having lost its opening two matches to teams which had not made the previous season’s finals. After leading by 9 points at half time, Hawthorn surged away to win by 68 points, kicking a new club record score of 27.8.170. 

***********

Matthews’ 11 goals in 1973 is the Club's Round 3 record. It was almost equalled twice in the next three seasons as Michael Moncrieff showed a particular liking for Round 3, kicking 10 in that round in both 1974 versus South Melbourne and 1976 versus Collingwood.

***********

Both Matthews and Moncrieff sustained their liking for Round 3 well into the 1980s as both booted 6 goals in Hawthorn’s 129 point demolition of St Kilda at Moorabbin in Round 3 1983. 

At the other end of the ground, St Kilda full-forward Mark Jackson had begun with his usual antics of bumping and chesting Kelvin Moore, but he did also manage to kick 2 goals in the first ten minutes as St Kilda with the aid of a strong north wind blowing down the Moorabbin ground managed to stay within 8 points at the quarter time siren. An 8.2 to 1.3 second quarter ended any semblance of a contest, but even that was exceeded by a 9.5 to 0.2 final term, producing a final score of 26.15.171 to 6.6.42. The win meant Hawthorn was one of just two unbeaten teams after three rounds, the other being Geelong.

The reporter from The Age took a particular fancy to a young Dermott Brereton in just his fifth game. He predicted that Brereton would be “a future champion”, describing how at just 18 he “kicks with either foot, reads the play like an old hand and has the height, strength and judgement for the big leagues”. Besides Brereton, Matthews and Moncrieff, others listed in the best players were Richard Loveridge, Chris Mew and Gary Buckenara, while leading possession getters were Rodney Eade (31 disposals) and Terry Wallace (29).

***********

Hawthorn had a remarkable Round 3 record between 1971 and 1992, winning 19 and losing just three. This successful period contributed enormously to Hawthorn having a positive overall record in the round - 45 wins and 43 losses from 88 matches.

The Hawks also have achieved Round 3 wins in 6 of the last 7 seven seasons. The only recent blemish was a 2010 loss to the Western Bulldogs at Docklands, while in 2011 the Hawks beat Richmond by 63 points at the MCG and last season accounted for Adelaide by 56 points.

***********

Hawthorn’s most recent Round 3 meeting with Collingwood was in 1987. A crowd of just 14,058 was at Princes Park to see Hawthorn win by 77 points, a margin which would have been greater but for kicking an inaccurate 20.25.145, Jason Dunstall being a major culprit with 3.6.

Seven years earlier, in Round 3 1980, more than twice as many people – 28,232 – had been at the same venue and seen Hawthorn win a game of fluctuating fortunes by 11 points, Alan Goad kicking 4 goals. The 1976 Round 3 game when Moncrieff kicked 10 goals produced a 72 point Hawthorn win. The last time Collingwood beat Hawthorn in Round 3 was by 7 points at Victoria Park in 1970.

***********

Hawthorn has won 8 of its last 11 games against Collingwood, including 3 matches in 2012, in Rounds 1 and 17 and the Qualifying Final. In total, after 155 games between the two clubs, Hawthorn has won 59 and Collingwood 96.  Hawthorn’s longest winning sequence against Collingwood is 7, which was achieved between 1985 and 1988.

***********

Jason Dunstall holds the Hawthorn record for most goals in a game versus Collingwood, having booted 11 in both the 1989 and 1990 seasons. Next best was Michael Moncrieff’s 10 in 1976.