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12 flags in 54 years proves what a mighty team Hawthorn are. After almost merging with Melbourne in 1996, the Hawks have reinvented and rebuilt themselves both on and off the field and have now won back-to-back flags twice in their proud history.
Alastair Clarkson is fast becoming one of the game’s greatest ever coaches, with three flags in 10 years, in an era when winning and making grand finals is very difficult considering the determination the AFL have to ensure the competition is so even.
Taking into account the adversity facing the Hawks, their grand final win would have to be one of the best of the 12.
It’s always hard to beat the first one back in 1961. Hawthorn, under the legendary John Kennedy were determined to gain respect and needed to be extremely fit and tough to ensure victory over Footscray.
Meanwhile, the 1976 premiership was extremely special as the Hawks players were on a mission to win for ailing former skipper Peter Crimmins, who tragically lost his battle with cancer three days after the game.
Just seven years later, 1983, was the start of their era of dominance during the 80’s which saw the end of the careers of all-time greats Leigh Matthews and Peter Knights. Fortunately, that period also saw the start of Dermott Brereton, Gary Ayres and Gary Buckenara.
The side won three in four years in 1986, 88 and 89, with South Australian stars John Platten and Tony Hall and a young full-forward from Queensland, Jason Dunstall, who went onto become one of the most prolific goal-kickers of all time.
For Hawthorn, 1989 was also special for a number of reasons. The Hawks won their first back-to-back titles with just 16 fit players against a fast-finishing Geelong side. Following these victories, they ended a dominant era with an ageing team winning at Waverley over West Coast.
After their dominance in the 80s and early 90s, it took the Hawks 17 years before the next one, which was an upset in 2008 when they beat the highly-fancied Geelong.
Future stars like Jarryd Roughead and Lance Franklin were already excellent players, but were still very young, along with Cyril Rioli and Sam Mitchell.
It took another five years before they saluted again last year in a solid display against Fremantle, but this season they had no Buddy Franklin. He was instrumental for them, though to their credit they have adjusted with minimal issues.
The Hawks also had four of their best six players in Mitchell, Rioli, Brian Lake and Josh Gibson miss large portions of the season due to either injury or suspension. To add to that, coach Alastair Clarkson was also sidelined for five weeks with illness in which Brendan Bolton slipped in and were undefeated in that period.
Then on the game’s grandest stage Hawthorn produced their best display making Sydney look second-rate.
With their obvious talent and stability, who is to say they couldn’t emulate the great Brisbane Lions side of the early 2000s and win three in a row. Looking back on season 2014 there is no doubt Hawthorn will see their consistent flawless displays as the best in their history?
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