Nick Watson celebrates during the round eight match between Hawthorn and Richmond at the MCG, May 4, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos

FOUR-TIME premiership coach Alastair Clarkson returned to the fold as Hawthorn celebrated its AFL/VFL centenary in style with a 65-point drubbing of Richmond.

Clarkson was one of the dozens of club greats among the 62,321 spectators on hand to see fan favourite Jack Gunston kick his 500th career goal in the Hawks' 16.13 (109) to 6.8 (44) triumph at the MCG.

HAWKS V TIGERS Full match details and stats

Now coach of North Melbourne, Clarkson figured prominently in the pre-match ceremony, back in brown-and-gold for the day after being estranged from the club since his 2021 exit.

The 57-year-old joined retired greats Luke Hodge and Jordan Lewis, among others, to present the spoils of last decade's three-peat when the Hawks' 13 premiership cups were paraded for the crowd.

Sunday's win won't be remembered as fondly as any of those Grand Final triumphs, but was another box ticked on the path to a possible 14th flag.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

Hawthorn is 6-2 ahead of a clash with Melbourne in round nine, while Richmond (2-6) will look to bounce back against winless West Coast.

The Hawks' superior class and efficiency was on show as they proved far too strong for the Tigers, pulling away after half-time to post their biggest win of the season to date.

Jai Newcombe (27 disposals, five clearances), Massimo D'Ambrosio (30 touches, two goals), Josh Battle (33 disposals, 12 marks) and captain James Sicily (24 possessions) all shone, though the Hawks had many contributors.

08:12

Highlights: Hawthorn v Richmond

The Hawks and Tigers clash in round eight of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season

After a dull opening, tempers flared in the second term when Sicily caught Maurice Rioli holding the ball and threw the Tiger to the ground.

Tim Taranto flew the flag for Rioli - gifting Sicily a 50-metre penalty and goal by shoving him over - while most players were involved in the ensuing melee.

Sicily's goal helped Hawthorn to a 34-point lead before Richmond kicked its first major through Seth Campbell after more than 52 minutes of action.

00:27

After almost two quarters, Campbell finally kicks Richmond's first

Seth Campbell puts the finishing touches on a well-worked inside 50 to kickstart the Tigers' day scoring-wise

Gunston reached his milestone in the third quarter, snapping his second goal for the day as the margin grew to 49 by the final change.

It blew out when Hawthorn finished full of running, kicking five goals to two in the last quarter.

Gunston and Hawks cult hero Nick Watson were the best of the goalkickers with three each and Jack Ginnivan added two from 14 disposals.

00:42

The Wizard torches Tigers with blistering wheels and lets them know

Nick Watson shows a clean set of heels to step his marker and slot his third goal in the process

Taranto (26 disposals, four clearances) and Jacob Hopper (28, five) were the Tigers' busiest on a tough day for the club, as they kicked their lowest score of the season.

Richmond defender Noah Balta returned to the sound of boos from Hawthorn fans after a week on the sidelines because of his court-imposed curfew.

00:41

Weddle puts foot to pedal and goes whack

A costly kick from Jayden Short ends up in the hands of Josh Weddle, who lets loose from long range

It was Balta's first match since being sentenced last month for assaulting another man on December 30 last year.

Balta limped off in the final few minutes after rolling his right ankle.

Spice from Sicily heats up the brew
A frustrating first quarter combined with a vocal crowd and some notoriously short fuses saw things ignite in the second term. Maurice Rioli tried a bit of fancy footwork but came up short when James Sicily tackled him and won the free kick. The Hawks skipper gave Rioli a little extra lip, eliciting a physical response from Tim Taranto who gave away a 50 metre penalty and sparked some fireworks.

01:14

'Proper' all-in brawl after Tiger reacts to Sicily tackle

Tim Taranto flies the flag for teammate Maurice Rioli jnr after being run down by the Hawks’ skipper, prompting big fireworks on the half-back flank

An extra celebration in the midst of Hawks' party
Club stalwart and fan favourite - although that includes most in brown and gold - Jack Gunston entered Sunday's clash on 498 career goals, and everyone in the MCG knew it. It took till late in the third quarter before the moment came, but when Gunston crafted a bender from the pocket teammates came from everywhere. The joy was such that it wouldn't have surprised if a few former teammates jumped the fence to start the after-party early.

00:52

Standing ovation as Gunston slams home goal 500

Jack Gunston is hailed by his teammates as he converts another milestone as part of an illustrious career

HAWTHORN    2.5    7.8   11.11   16.13 (109)
RICHMOND     0.3    2.4    4.4      6.8 (44)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Watson 3, Gunston 3, Ginnivan 2, Chol 2, D'Ambrosio 2, Sicily, Maginness, Breust, Weddle
Richmond: Mansell, Green, Faull, Campbell, Brown, Trezise

BEST
Hawthorn: Battle, D'Ambrosio, Sicily, Newcombe, Jiath, Ginnivan
Richmond: Taranto, Hopper, Vlastuin, Trainor, Ralphsmith

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Richmond: Balta (ankle)

SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: Bailey Macdonald, replaced Dylan Moore at three-quarter time
Richmond: James Trezise, replaced Maurice Rioli in the third quarter

Crowd: 62,321 at the MCG