Hawthorn takes a mixed record in first games against new entrants to the competition, into its first match against the Gold Coast. The Hawks enjoyed success in its first games against the Brisbane Bears (1987), Fremantle (1995) and Port Adelaide (1997), but lost to West Coast (1987) and Adelaide (1991).



This round, Alastair Clarkson will become just the third man to coach Hawthorn in 150 games. The only others to reach the milestone have been John Kennedy Snr. (299 games) and Allan Jeans (221).



Hawthorn’s last three scoreless quarters have all been final quarters, against Melbourne in 2006, Essendon last season and Geelong on Saturday night. 

There have been a handful of instances before last Saturday night, where Hawthorn has led at the final change and then lost, having failed to score in the last quarter. The first was way back in 1931 when Hawthorn led Footscray at Glenferrie 8.5 to 4.15 at three quarter time, before conceding 2.4 to nothing to lose by two points. A more recent instance came at Moorabbin in 1973, with the Hawks leading St Kilda 8.16 to 7.7 at the final change, before conceding 4.5 to zero to lose by 14 points.



On Saturday, Hawthorn will be hoping to equal its record for most consecutive wins at Aurora Stadium. The record is five set in 2006-07 and Hawthorn has now won its last four games there against Adelaide, Brisbane Lions and Fremantle last season, and West Coast in Round 4 this season. Overall at the venue Hawthorn has won 19 and lost 10 of its 29 matches.



Assuming Campbell Brown plays for the Gold Coast this Saturday, he will become the 27th Hawthorn premiership player to subsequently play against the Club. The first was Kevin Heath who crossed to Carlton in 1976 and first played against his old club in Round 6 of that season. Brown will become the second member of the 2008 team to play against Hawthorn after Mark Williams. Only two Hawk premiership players have found premiership success again at their new club - Barry Rowlings (Richmond 1980) and Darren Jarman (Adelaide 1997-98).



The season-ending injury to Jarryd Roughead brought back memories of other serious injuries to Hawthorn players when the team looked set to mount a premiership challenge.

In Round 10 1963, Brendan Edwards, who had missed the 1962 season, was just returning to his best form, when a serious knee injury in a game against Richmond at Punt Road ended his career. The Hawks made the Grand Final, but missing Edwards’ brilliance lost the big one to Geelong by 49 points. Edwards never played again.

Hawthorn’s defence of its 1971 pemiership was effectively ended in Round 1 the following season against Melbourne, Peter Hudson who had already kicked eight goals was injured shortly before half-time. Hudson next played in Round 21 1973.



50 years ago in Round 13, the 1961 Hawks completed a home and away double against reigning premiers and flag favourites, Melbourne, by recording an 18 point win in a low-scoring Glenferrie game. The meeting of the top two sides had lost a little lustre due to its clashing with the ANFC Carnival in Brisbane, thus forcing the absence of star players. In the case of Hawthorn these were Ian Mort and John Peck.

The game was almost over as the Hawks scored three goals in the first seven minutes kicking to the Glenferrie Road end, the first coming from a free to Graham Arthur, the second from a terrific solo effort from Garry Young and the third to Morton Browne. The game then evolved into a low-scoring war of attrition with the Hawks maintaining their advantage of roughly three goals to the end as they won 8.10.58 to 5.10.40.

Brendan Edwards, who beat three opponents in the centre was the Hawks’ best player, while Colin Youren put in a faultless wet weather display on his wing. On the other wing John Fisher won almost as many kicks; Morton Browne and Garry Young contributed up forward, while other good players included McArthur, Winneke and Law.



40 years ago, in Round 13 1971, League leader Hawthorn scored a comfortable 35 point win over seventh placed Fitzroy - 14.9.93 to 7.16.58. The Hawks had led the Waverley game by 44 points at the final change but were outscored 2.0 to 2.9 in the last quarter. The Hawks only had four goal-kickers with Peter Hudson dominating with nine majors.



In this round twenty years ago a crowd of just 5,741 braved the wintery conditions at Princes Park to see the Hawks thrash Brisbane Bears - 22.17.149 to 9.8.62. One of the highlights of the day for Hawthorn fans was the debut of Michael Johnston who had 20 disposals, kicked two goals and received two Brownlow votes. Dermott Brereton and Tony Hall each kicked four goals, while John Platten and Paul Hudson both gained 24 possessions.



Hawthorn has played 86 matches in Round 13 for 37 wins, 48 defeats and one draw (in 1926). It has been a poor round in recent seasons with only two wins in the past six seasons.  At least the wins in that time were memorable ones. In 2007, the Hawks triumphed by eight points over Collingwood, in a Sunday twilight fixture, played in front of 50,248 at Docklands. Last season, the Hawks beat Essendon by 16 points at the MCG, in a game that will forever be remembered for Lance Franklin’s two stunning running goals from the boundary line.



The Round 13 individual goal-kicking record for Hawthorn is nine, held jointly by Peter Hudson (against Fitzroy in 1971) and Jason Dunstall (against Geelong in 1988), and followed by bags of eight from Peter Knights (1972), Mike Moncrieff (1980) and Simon Minton-Connell (1995).