DON’T MISS: Buddy’s 13-goal performance

Lance Franklin’s 13-goal performance in 2012 against North Melbourne not only set a new club record but also cemented his place in Hawthorn’s history books. Prior to Franklin’s heroics, the record was jointly held by Alec Albiston (1940) and Jason Dunstall (1988), who both kicked 10 goals in a single game for the Hawks.

Franklin’s prolific scoring spree against North Melbourne also places him alongside Jason Dunstall in another record category. Both players hold the Hawthorn individual goals record for Round 6, with Dunstall kicking nine goals in matches against Collingwood (1992) and Adelaide (1993), while Franklin matched this feat against Essendon in 2007.

This Sunday, Hawthorn will aim to secure their fifth consecutive victory against North Melbourne, a feat not achieved in over three decades.

Hawthorn’s current winning streak against North Melbourne includes victories by margins of 20 and 46 points in 2022, as well as triumphs by 19 and 48 points last season. Notably, each of these four wins took place at different venues: the MCG, Bellerive, University of Tasmania Stadium, and Docklands.

While Hawthorn enjoyed previous runs of four consecutive wins against North Melbourne in 2011-13 and 2015-17, their most dominant stretch against the Kangaroos occurred from 1985 to 1993, when they secured 14 consecutive victories.

Overall, Hawthorn boasts 102 wins against North Melbourne, the highest number against any opponent, with 78 defeats and two draws. The two teams have clashed 15 times at Docklands, with Hawthorn holding a 9-6 advantage.

This Sunday’s match marks Hawthorn’s third encounter with a bottom-two team in the past two seasons. After a surprising defeat by Geelong in a bottom-two clash early in 2023, Hawthorn bounced back with a resounding 116-point victory over West Coast in Launceston later in the season.

Interestingly, Hawthorn’s last 0-5 start to a season in 1970 also coincided with a bottom-two encounter in Round 6. Despite the challenging start, Hawthorn’s subsequent performance against Richmond showcased the team’s resilience and potential for improvement.

In that historic game, Hawthorn faced Richmond, the reigning premiers, in a high-scoring contest at VFL Park Waverley. Despite a valiant effort, Hawthorn fell short, losing by seven points. However, the match served as a turning point for the team, igniting a period of growth and success.

Last Saturday night, Hawthorn opted for an unchanged lineup for the second time in 2024, despite coming off a loss. This decision, which occurred twice in a single season after a 40-year hiatus, demonstrates the team’s commitment to their players even in the face of defeat.

Prior to 2024, the last instance of an unchanged losing team was in Round 14, 1984, when Hawthorn retained the same lineup following a loss to Melbourne and went on to secure a victory against St Kilda. This rare occurrence has only happened seven times in Hawthorn’s VFL-AFL history, resulting in just two victories.

Hawthorn’s Round 6 fixture in Victoria this season marks the first time since 2014 that the team has played a Round 6 game in the state. Over the past nine seasons, Hawthorn has predominantly played Round 6 matches at University of Tasmania Stadium or the Sydney Showground.

In their most recent Round 6 game in Victoria in 2014, Hawthorn delivered a commanding performance against Richmond, with Cyril Rioli’s four-goal burst in the third quarter propelling the team to a 66-point victory.

Overall, Hawthorn has played 95 Round 6 matches, with 42 wins and 53 losses.

Seventy years ago, in Round 6, 1954, Hawthorn secured a memorable away victory against Richmond, triumphing by six points at Punt Road. Noel Voigt, in his first year with the club, played a pivotal role, kicking three goals, while Graham Peck, Ted Fletcher, and John O’Mahony were among the standout performers.

Ninety years ago, in Round 6, 1934, Hawthorn notched another significant win, defeating Footscray by six points at Glenferrie. This victory, following a winless start to the season, provided a much-needed boost for the team, with Jack Green’s late goal proving decisive.

Green’s goal was particularly noteworthy as it extended his remarkable streak of scoring in every match he played for Hawthorn, showcasing his consistent performance and enduring impact on the team.