THE 2009 Hawthorn playing group has faced much uncertainty this year about whether or not it can make the finals. It has come down to the last week of the home and away season and the Hawks still don’t know if they will make September action.

That was not the case with the Hawks of the 1980s who came to expect that not only would they be playing in finals every year but they would make the grand final and probably win a premiership at that.

On Friday night, Hawthorn’s 1988 and 1989 premiership teams had an official reunion in front of hundreds of fans and club officials at the scene of their success the MCG.

Their feats have only become more legendary with time. With an even competition bounded by salary cap and drafts, it seems almost impossible to think that a side could make seven grand finals in a row.

Two decades on from their back to back flags, the bond among the players of the time still remains as strong as ever. Andy Collins was the only member of the two sides not to make it to the night as he was tied up with coaching commitments with SANFL side West Adelaide.

There were two other absentees for much of the evening but the crowd was reassured by MCs Ross Stevenson and John Silvester that the two star forwards of the champion side would arrive as soon as their radio commentary duties on the other side of town were finished.

They needed no talking up. Indeed they didn’t even need to be mentioned by more than their Christian names, for ‘Dermott and Jason’ were the talk of the night as their performances featured heavily in the highlights packages on the screens.

Brereton and Dunstall did eventually arrive at the function but their delayed appearance only meant the real star of the show could take centre stage. The simple combination of Robert Dipierdomenico and a microphone proved to be the most entertaining part of the night. Dipper recounted the famous stories of his colourful clashes with coach Allan Jeans and how he saw out the 1989 game with a punctured lung.

His teammates watched on as the most extroverted member of what was largely an introverted playing group had the crowd eating out the palm of his hand.

Dipper was only interrupted occasionally by John Kennedy jr who offered to ‘translate’ for the crowd and reminded everyone that he actually played one more senior game than the 1986 Brownlow medallist.

Captain Michael Tuck and the two coaches Jeans and Alan Joyce took the stage and gave a typically humble account of life at the most successful club of the 1980s.

The message of team over individual even extended to when they were asked their favourite of the modern-day players. All three said they were reluctant to praise one player above all others – even Tuck who one wouldn’t blame for showing some bias to son Travis.

The autograph hunters were everywhere and the memorabilia sold fast. Some faces were easier to recognise than others. Chris Langford still looks the same but for a bit more grey in his mane, Greg Madigan – the youngest, skinniest and most fresh-faced of the 1989 side has filled out and now doesn’t have a hair on his head. Darrin Pritchard by contrast, somehow looks younger than when he actually played.

John Platten still has that same unique look he always had and was even moved to offer his playing services when president Jeff Kennett spoke about the mixed fortunes of 2009. Kennett laughed off Platten’s jovial interjection but the crowd’s reaction would suggest he would be a more than popular return.