This round marks the 30^th anniversary of Hawthorn’s first game in Tasmania.

In Round 6 1991, the Hawks played Fitzroy at North Hobart Oval and proceeded to kick what remains the club’s record score of 36.15.231. The goal-kickers were headed by Ben Allan (7), Darren Jarman (7), Jason Dunstall (6), Paul Hudson (5) and Anthony Condon (4). At the time, the winning margin of 157 was also a club record, but it has subsequently been eclipsed by margins of 165 (Port Adelaide 2011), 162 (GWS 2012) and 160 (Essendon 1992).

In Round 6 2001, Hawthorn’s first game at what is now University of Tasmania Stadium was against this week’s opponent Adelaide. The Hawks won 16.8.104 to 12.19.91 with John Barker kicking three goals and midfielders Daniel Harford and Tony Woods both accumulating 26 disposals.

The Hawks history at their greatest fortress of all

The Hawks will be hoping to celebrate their 50^th win at University of Tasmania Stadium. Hawthorn currently has the remarkable record of 49 wins and one draw from 64 games at the venue, which includes a sequence of 19 consecutive victories from 2012 to 2016.

In this Anzac Day round, we should remember the ten Hawthorn League players who lost their lives in the Second World War, or who died as a result of war wounds, or war-related illness – Jack Drake, Alf Giblett, Bruce Hone, Alex Nash, Richard Pirrie, Jack Price, Len Thomas, Max Wheeler, Leo ‘Gus’ Young and Harold Zucker.

There were also several players who represented the club in its days in the Metropolitan Junior Football Association and VFA who lost their lives on active duty in the First World War. Their names include Hugh Callan, John Collins, Don McConville, Joe Slater and Joseph Sorby.

60 years ago, in Round 6 1961, legendary Hawthorn coaches, John Kennedy and Allan Jeans coached against each other for the first time. It was the latter who came out on top with the Saints winning a rugged game by 19 points – 14.16.100 to 12.9.81. The two continued their coaching duels through to 1989 when Kennedy was coaching North Melbourne and Jeans’ Hawthorn.

What makes the occasion of Round 6 1961 even more remarkable was that the Hawthorn Reserves team that day included youngsters, David Parkin and Alan Joyce, which means that for the first time the four men who were to go on and between them coach Hawthorn’s first nine Premierships were all together at the football for the first time.

Hawthorn has played a total of 13 games on Anzac Day (for seven wins and six defeats), however, this Sunday will be the club’s first appearance on the day since an eight-point defeat by Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval in 2015.

Hawthorn’s first Anzac Day game was in 1963 against Melbourne and was notable for providing the first attendance above 50,000 at a Hawthorn home and away game. A crowd of 55,293 at the MCG, saw Hawthorn come from 26 points down at the final change to lose by just four points.

This week’s game provides a statistic that has never happened before and will never happen again. It is Hawthorn game number 2021 since joining the VFL-AFL in 1925, providing the only time when the game number and year will coincide. Hawthorn’s record after 2020 games is 989 wins, 11 draws and 1,020 defeats.

Hawthorn has won 10 of its last 12 games against Adelaide, the only blemishes being at the MCG in Round 2 2017 and the Adelaide Oval last season. Prior to the 2017 defeat, the Hawks had won the previous seven games, beginning with a 56-point victory in Round 3 2012 and including two thrillers - the five-point win in the 2012 Preliminary Final and the Paul Puopolo inspired three-point win in 2016. In total, the Hawks and Crows have played 43 times, with Hawthorn holding a 23-20 advantage.

Playing outside Victoria in Round 6 has certainly been common for Hawthorn in recent seasons, with 2021 becoming the seventh consecutive season when this has happened. There were games at University of Tasmania Stadium in 2017, 2018 and 2019, and at Giants Stadium in 2015, 2016 and 2020.

Hawthorn’s most recent Round 6 game in Victoria in 2014 saw a comprehensive 66-point win against Richmond at the MCG – 18.10.118 to 7.10.52. The game was highlighted by a brilliant four-goal third quarter from Cyril Rioli, while Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell both played outstanding games. Hawthorn overall Round 6 record is 41 wins and 51 defeats (with byes in 1942, 1943, 1994 and 2011).

40 years ago, in Round 6 1981, Hawthorn thrashed reigning Premier Richmond by 75 points – 23.16.154 to 10.19.79. Russell Greene was outstanding with 28 disposals and four goals, while 19-year old Chris Mew in just his 14^th game showed immense promise.

Jason Dunstall holds the Hawthorn individual goal-kicking record against Adelaide, kicking nine goals on three separate occasions – in 1993 and 1994 (both at Football Park) and in 1996 (at Waverley). Dunstall and Lance Franklin share the Hawthorn individual goals record for Round 6. Dunstall kicked nine goals in both 1992 and 1993, versus Collingwood and Adelaide respectively, a tally equaled by Franklin against Essendon in 2007.