IT HAS been 15 years since Hawthorn premiership captain Don Scott stood up at the Camberwell Civic Centre and famously ripped a gold velcro Hawk logo off a guernsey for the proposed 'Melbourne Hawks'.

During the 1980s and early 1990s Hawthorn, although struggling financially, was a highly successful club on the field, winning five flags in nine years.

By contrast Melbourne hadn't experienced premiership glory in more than three decades but was financially solid.

On the surface it seemed that a merger was the perfect solution for the two clubs, but it wasn't a view shared by all.

The end of the 1996 season saw Hawthorn and Melbourne play in round 22, a match many supporters saw as their last chance to watch their stand-alone sides play.

More than 63,000 fans packed the MCG to watch Hawthorn full-forward Jason Dunstall kick 10 goals and lead his side to a one-point victory.

After the final siren Chris Langford took off his brown and gold jumper and held it above his head as he left the field.

Two weeks later on September 16, the clubs held a vote to decide whether or not they would join forces.

Despite Melbourne members voting in favour of the merger (4679-4229), the proposal was defeated when the Hawthorn faithful overwhelmingly voted against it (5241-2841).

Fifteen years on and the two sides have since taken very different paths.

Melbourne is a promising young side still searching for a premiership and has only recently resolved its financial situation thanks to inspirational president Jim Stynes.

On the other hand, Hawthorn has enjoyed success both on and off the field, with lucrative deals made with the Tasmanian government and a 10th flag in 2008.

On Sunday the two sides meet for the 154th time in VFL/AFL history, a number that would never have been reached if it not for the voices of Scott and Melbourne premiership player Brian Dixon and businessman Joseph Gutnick, and the votes of Hawks' members.