After 13 consecutive rounds in 17^th position, Hawthorn jumped up to 15^th with victory against Collingwood last Sunday. This means the Hawks just failed to equal the 91-year-old club record for longest sequence in a position, other than top or bottom, which was 14 rounds spent in 10^th position from Round 5 to Round 18 in 1930.

Hawthorn longest period on top of the ladder was 20 rounds from Round 4 1989 to Round 1 1990 and its longest sequence on the bottom was 23 rounds from Round 15 1949 to Round 18 1950.

Liam Shiels continues to move up the Hawthorn games played record, having equaled Robert Dipierdomenico on 240 games last Sunday. This week, he will join John Kennedy Jnr. on 241 games, the equal 17^th most games in the brown and gold.

AIA Vitality Update: Star Hawk forced to prove fitness ahead of Dogs clash

Hawthorn will be trying to avoid losing three consecutive games to the Western Bulldogs for just the third time in the past 65 years. After losing five consecutive games from 1953 to 1955, the Hawks have not lost more than three in a row against the Bulldogs. The two sequences of three defeats were in 1997-98 and 2005-07.

Hawthorn has won 10 of its last 13 games against the Western Bulldogs, with the blemishes being the 2016 Semi Final and the games in the past two seasons. Hawthorn won eight consecutive games against the Bulldogs from 2010 to 2016, the winning sequence started and ended with thrilling three-point victories, at the MCG in 2010 and at Docklands in 2016.

If this week’s game is played as scheduled at University of Tasmania Stadium, it would become the first meeting between the clubs there in a year when Hawthorn did not go on to win the Premiership. The four previous matches were in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2015, with the Hawks losing the first encounter, but winning the other three.

Overall, the Hawks hold a narrow lead in the head-to-head history between the two clubs, with 83 victories, 78 defeats and two draws.

Round 22 was first contested in 1970 and, in the 50 seasons to 2019, Hawthorn has won 33 and lost 17. There was no Round 22 in 2020. Hawthorn won six consecutive Round 22 matches from 2010 to 2015, before losing to West Coast (2016) and Carlton (2017). However, the Hawks returned to the winning list against St Kilda in 2018 and defeated Gold Coast in Jarryd Roughead’s last game, in 2019.

For most of its existence Round 22 was the final round of the home and away season, but in 1991-92, 1994, and from 2011 onwards there have been further rounds played.

10 years ago, in Round 22 2011, Hawthorn survived a late Carlton fightback to win by 12 points – 10.18.78 to 8.18.66. Hawthorn was completely dominant in the first half leading by 38 points at half-time – 7.10 to 1.8. However, the Blues fought back in the second half drawing within three goals midway through the final term, before Isaac Smith kicked a goal after a long run down the wing. Carlton kicked two more goals but the result was enough to confirm Hawthorn in the top four.

Lance Franklin kicked four goals, while Luke Hodge and Jordan Lewis were outstanding in the midfield.

30 years ago, in Round 22 1991, Hawthorn travelled to Subiaco to take on the seemingly invincible West Coast which was sitting on top of the ladder having lost just two games for the season. While the Hawks lost by 24 points, the competitive performance gave them belief that they could beat the Eagles in Perth a feat they managed three weeks later in the Qualifying Final.

In particular, Stephen Lawrence (who received two Brownlow votes in this game for his 21 disposal and 21 hit-out effort), went on to produce an even more outstanding performance in the Final as he had 30 disposals, 14 marks and 26 hit-outs to secure best-on-ground honours.

40 years ago, in Round 22 1981, Hawthorn wrapped up the season with a comfortable 53- point victory over wooden spooner Melbourne – 15.20.110 to 8.9.57. Rick Davies kicked five goals in what proved to be his final game for the club and Peter Murnane chipped in with three. Another playing his final game was Don Scott who had 24 disposals, 26 hit outs and kicked a goal. However, the game is not remembered for Davies’ or Scott’s farewells, but for the antics of Melbourne full-forward Mark Jackson doing handstands in front of a bemused Kelvin Moore.

50 years ago, in Round 22 1971, Hawthorn had the minor premiership and double-chance wrapped up, but still wanted to finish the home-and-away season in good form against Melbourne at Glenferrie, winning by 59 points – 18.16.124 to 8.17.65.

After a scrappy opening term, Hawthorn exploded to life in the second quarter, slamming on 7.7 on 2.2, with Peter Hudson kicking five majors for the term. Hudson finished with 10 taking him to 140 for the season, 10 ahead of Collingwood’s Peter McKenna. Both players had the Finals series ahead of them to potentially challenge Bob Pratt’s record of 150.

As well as Hudson, Alan Martello was outstanding, and others in the best players were Geoff Angus, Leon Rice, Robert Day, Geoff Smith, Brian Douge and Les Hawken.

Jason Dunstall holds the Hawthorn individual goal-kicking record against the Bulldogs with 14 goals in Round 19 1996.

Both Dunstall and Peter Hudson regularly kicked large tallies of goals in Round 22. Hudson kicked 11 (1970), 10 (1971) and seven (1977), while Dunstall booted 12 (1992), 11 (1989) and 10 (1988, 1993 and 1996).