Hawthorn FC (AFL)

Hawthorn is an existing club that plays in the Australian Football League, and has previously played in the Victorian FL and the Victorian FA. The club was formed in 1902 and has won thirteen premierships.
== Formation ==
There were previous versions of Hawthorn in the nineteenth century, but the present day Hawthorn club was formed in March 1902 by Alf Kosky.
== Early years ==
Hawthorn first played in the Metropolitan Junior Football Association. In 1905 they absorbed the Boroondara club adopting their colours of black with a red sash (Essendon's colours), but that only lasted a year before they merged with Hawthorn Rovers to form the Hawthorn City club in 1906. This incorporated the move to Glenferrie Oval and the adoption of the Rovers colours of blue and gold.
== VFA ==
In 1914 Hawthorn joined the Victorian Football Association and had to change their colours due to the clash with Williamstown. It was at this point that the colours of brown and gold were adopted. In it's first season they finished ninth in the ten team competition with three wins and a draw, but a struggle to adjust led to the wooden spoon in 1915 with only one win from thirteen rounds before the finals were played early due to World War 1. The VFA went in to recess for two years and Hawthorn didn't play in the first season back in 1918. The return in 1919 was better for Hawthorn finishing sixth with eight wins. They dropped back to eighth with six wins in 1920, but were back to sixth in 1921 with seven wins. In 1922 they had their best season to date with ten wins and a draw, but missed out on the finals by percentage finishing sixth again. Then in 1923 they made the finals for the first time with eleven wins. In their semi final though they ran into Port Melbourne and were defeated by 28 points. In 1924 though Hawthorn relived 1922, winning ten games but missing out on the finals by a game with a better percentage finishing sixth again.
== To World War 2 (1925-1942) ==
Hawthorn then benefitted from the change in circumstances in relations between the VFL and the VFA and along with Footscray and North Melbourne were admitted to the VFL. Hawthorn's first win was over Footscray but in round thirteen they had their first win over an established club, St Kilda. The other win would be over North Melbourne and it would not be enough for Hawthorn to avoid the wooden spoon in their first season. It would be a rough start for the Mayblooms, as the club was called then. It would take more than ten years for the club to get out of the bottom three, with wooden spoons in 1927, 1928 and 1932. 1928 would be the worst of these with a winless season. In terms of wins, six in 1930 and tenth would be the best performance. It would be in 1936 that Hawthorn finally got higher, finishing ninth and they rose again to eighth in 1937 winning seven games in their best return to that point. But that would be their best result before World War 2. In 1942 at the height of the war, Hawthorn obtained the services of the legendary Roy Cazaly as coach. While his first season wasn't great with just one win and another wooden spoon thanks in part to Geelong being out of the competition due to travel restrictions, Cazaly did make one profound change - introducing Hawthorn to a different nickname - the Hawks.
== Post War (1943-1959) ==
In 1943 Hawthorn had their best season yet winning nine games and losing six to finish fifth only percentage out of their first finals appearance in the VFL. But in 1944 a slide back to eleventh followed before a tenth place finish in 1945. In 1946 the club dropped to the wooden spoon again before finishing eleventh in 1947 and 1948. In 1949 it was another wooden spoon with a repeat in 1950 in a winless season. Another eleventh place finish followed in 1951 and 1952 before another wooden spoon in 1953. Finally in 1954 the Hawks got out of the bottom two finishing ninth and in 1955 they finished eighth. Hawthorn finished seventh in 1956.
It would be in 1957 that the Hawks finally made the finals for the first time in VFL history - the last of the 1925 admissions to do so. They finished third and faced Carlton in the first semi final. Delightfully Hawthorn won their first final at their first attempt to progress to the preliminary final. Unfortunately they ran into Melbourne and were beaten easily. The club slipped to sixth in 1958 and then seventh in 1959.
== 1960's ==
John Kennedy Senior became coach in 1960 and in his first season Hawthorn just missed the finals on percentage, finishing fifth. But in 1961 the Hawks had their best season to date finishing on top of the ladder one and a half games ahead of Melbourne. And Hawthorn scored a seven point victory to go straight to their first ever VFL grand final. Many expected them to meet Melbourne again, but Footscray upended them to create the first ever VFL grand final between two of the teams admitted in 1925. And after a slow start the Hawks had a magnificent second half to win their first premiership by 43 points.
In 1962 the club suffered a premiership hangover dropping to ninth, but they were back in 1963 again finishing on top of the ladder. Geelong though defeated them in the second semi final and the Hawks were confronted with Melbourne again. They got past them, but the Cats were too good on grand final day.
Kennedy Senior had to leave due to work commitments in 1964, and Hawthorn suffered a costly loss to Melbourne at Glenferrie Oval in the second last round to drop out of the top four where they stayed after the final round to finish fifth. The club reacted badly to that, and dropped like a stone in 1965 to their first wooden spoon since 1953. They could only rise to ninth in 1966 before Kennedy Senior returned for the 1967 season. Damage had been done though and Hawthorn finished tenth that year. But they started to rise again in 1968 to sixth albeit five games outside the four. In 1969 another loss in the second last round, this time to Geelong, kept the Hawks out of the finals.
== 1970's ==
The new decade began with a poor season finishing eighth in 1970. But in 1971 Hawthorn were back finishing on top of the ladder. They withstood a last quarter fightback by St Kilda to win the second semi final, and they met the Saints again in the grand final. This time it would be the Hawks who would fight back in the final quarter and unlike their opponents this one would be successful and Hawthorn had their second ever premiership.
In 1972 the Hawks would miss the finals after they were beaten in the final round by St Kilda and Essendon would slip past them with an upset win over Collingwood. A slight slip to seventh followed in 1973, but in 1974 Hawthorn would return to the finals - now a final five. This was partly due to their move from Glenferrie Oval to Princes Park. They would be defeated by soon to be major rivals North Melbourne in the Qualifying final, but they would bounce back with a smashing victory over Collingwood. North though would end their season by just 5 points in the preliminary final.
In 1975 the Hawks finished on top of the ladder and got the week off. In the second semi final they would defeat North Melbourne to progress to the grand final, but North returned and would defeat them despite a desperate and now famous speech by Kennedy at half time highlighted by "Don't think! Don't hope! Do!" In 1976 Hawthorn finished second, missing out on top spot after losing to Geelong in the last round. They defeated North Melbourne in the qualifying final and then progressed to the grand final again by defeating Carlton. It would be North again in the grand final, but Hawthorn wouldn't be bowed a second time and won the flag - which they consequently dedicated to popular player Peter Crimmins. Crimmins died from testicular cancer just a few days later.
In 1977 the Hawks finished second again and would defeat North Melbourne again in the qualifying final. This time though Collingwood defeated them in the second semi final and North would eliminate Hawthorn in the preliminary final. In 1978 the Hawks again finished second and easily accounted for Collingwood in the qualifying final. They would defeat North Melbourne in the second semi final and would meet them again in the grand final, scoring victory by 18 points to win their fourth flag. In 1979 though Hawthorn would slip to seventh missing the finals for the first time since 1973. But great times were ahead.
== 1980's ==
In 1980 the Hawks finished eighth and in 1981 they finished sixth, missing the finals after a second last round loss to Collingwood. In 1982 though Hawthorn returned to the finals finishing second. Carlton beat them in the qualifying final but they bounced back over North Melbourne, only to run into the Blues again in the preliminary final.
But it would be in 1983 that the Hawks started a historic run. Finishing second Hawthorn knocked off Fitzroy before defeating North Melbourne in the second semi final to reach the grand final for the first time since 1978. They would meet Essendon, and they would easily defeat them for the premiership. In 1984 the Hawks again finished second and won both the qualifying final and the second semi final for the second year running for their second grand final in a row. They met Essendon again but this time the Bombers ran over them in the last quarter to turn a defeat into a victory denying Hawthorn a second flag in a row.
In 1985 Hawthorn finished third behind a dangerous looking Footscray. The Hawks were no nonsense though winning easily, only to be beaten in the second semi final by Essendon. Footscray came back but Hawthorn ended their season, only for the Bombers to repeat their 1984 victory. In 1986 though the Hawks had a great season only losing four games to finish on top of the ladder. Carlton though defeated them in the second semi final, only for Hawthorn to bounce back thrashing Fitzroy and enter their fourth grand final in a row. This time they would defeat the Blues by seven goals to win the premiership.
In 1987 the Hawks finished second and met Sydney in the qualifying final, thrashing them. Carlton though repeated their 1986 second semi final victory forcing Hawthorn into the preliminary final against Melbourne, only escaping with a post siren goal assisted by a 15 metre penalty. Five grand finals in a row, but the Blues were too good on the day.
In 1988 the Hawks had their best season yet with just three losses and top of the ladder. The dominance was justified this season as they dealt with Carlton in the second semi final, and then thrashed Melbourne in their sixth grand final in a row to win their third flag for the decade. In 1989 Hawthorn again only lost three games and finished on top. Victory over Essendon in the second semi final sent the Hawks to their seventh grand final on the trot, equalling the record set by Melbourne in the 1950's. They met Geelong and despite early roughness from the Cats they got out to a lead that Geelong couldn't overcome although they went close in one of the great grand finals. Hawthorn won their fourth flag for the decade and their second in a row by 6 points.
== 1990's ==
In 1990 the VFL became the AFL and the Hawks slipped to fifth and were beaten by Melbourne in the elimination final, ending their run of grand final appearances. But in 1991 they were back finishing second. The final six was introduced and Hawthorn travelled to Perth for the first ever final played outside of Victoria against West Coast - and they won by 23 points in what was seen as an upset. The Hawks got a fright from Geelong in the second semi final, surviving by 2 points to enter the grand final. This was played for the first (and only time) at Waverley Park against West Coast. Hawthorn won well to score their third flag in four years.
In 1992 the Hawks slipped to fifth and had to travel to Perth again, and this time the Eagles were too good to end Hawthorn's season. In 1993 the Hawks finished fourth and played Adelaide in the elimination final - and lost in something of an upset at the MCG to be done for that season. The final eight was introduced in 1994 and Hawthorn finished sixth to face North Melbourne in their qualifying final. This game was the first in league history to finish in a draw and be resolved with extra time. That was bad for the Hawks as North got away to eliminate them.
In 1995 the Hawks had their worst season since 1965, finishing fifteenth albeit five games clear of the wooden spoon. But they jumped to eighth in 1996 and went within a kick of upsetting top side Sydney. However the defeat meant another season ending. Another slide to fifteenth followed in 1997, four games clear of the spoon. In 1998 they rose in thirteenth and in 1999 they missed the finals by half a game finishing ninth.
== 2000's ==
Hawthorn managed to confirm eighth place in 2000 at the start of the new millenium and then upset Geelong in the new final eight elimination final. But North Melbourne ended their season in the semi final. In 2001 the Hawks finished sixth and defeated Sydney in the elimination final. A big win over Port Adelaide in the semi final put Hawthorn into the preliminary final where they were beaten by reigning premiers Essendon. The Hawks fell to tenth in 2002 and then finished ninth in 2003. A crash to fifteenth followed in 2004 only avoiding the wooden spoon by percentage, and in 2005 Hawthorn finished fourteenth.
In 2006 the club rose to eleventh leading to a return to the finals in 2007 finishing fifth. A narrow win over Adelaide in the elimination final led to the semi final and a loss to North Melbourne. But in 2008 the Hawks leapt to second and played the qualifying final against the Western Bulldogs scoring a strong victory for the week off. In the preliminary final the Hawks met St Kilda and won convincingly again to enter the grand final for the first time since 1991 opposed to Geelong. And in a fine effort incorporating rushed behinds in defence, Hawthorn scored a famous victory to break their 17 year drought.
In 2009 the Hawks had a bit of a premiership hangover, dropping to ninth.
== 2010's ==
Hawthorn returned to the finals at the beginning of the new decade finishing seventh, only to be eliminated first up by Fremantle comfortably.
But that would be the beginning of another great run. Finishing third in 2011, the Hawks slipped against Geelong in the qualifying final. But they rebounded with a good win over Sydney in the semi final. Collingwood though managed to pip them in the preliminary final by just 3 points. Hawthorn came back in 2012 to finish on top of the ladder and they opened their finals campaign with a good win over the Magpies to avenge the previous year's preliminary final result. The week off led to a narrow 5 point win over Adelaide and the grand final against Sydney. But in an exciting game the Swans got the break when they wanted it and the Hawks lost by 10 points.
However that seemed to only inspire Hawthorn in 2013. Another top place finish led to a comanding win over Sydney in the qualifying final and the week off again. The preliminary final was against Geelong, who the Hawks hadn't beaten since the 2008 grand final (known by this time as the Kennett Curse). Hawthorn though finally exorcised their demons with a three point victory and a grand final against Fremantle. The Hawks were strong and steadied after withstanding a third quarter fight back to win by 15 points.
Hawthorn finished on top for the third time in a row in 2014 and again won the qualifying final for the week off, strongly disposing of Geelong. The preliminary final though was a tougher affair, but the Hawks managed to get by Port Adelaide to get to their third grand final in a row. And Hawthorn finished it off in style, taking their revenge on Sydney from the 2012 grand final with a 63 point thrashing.
There was a slight slip in 2015 with the Hawks finishing third, and they paid for that as West Coast beat them in the qualifying final. Hawthorn though fought back, belting Adelaide in the semi final and then scoring a good win over Fremantle in the preliminary final to make it four grand finals on the trot. And it wasn't even close. The Hawks won by 46 points and it could so easily have been more if they hadn't relaxed in the final term. Collingwood's four in a row record was under threat.
In 2016 Hawthorn finished third again, although only percentage behind the two top. The Hawks lost the qualifying final again, this time to Geelong and only by 2 points. But in the semi final against the Western Bulldogs, Hawthorn failed to get it done and were beaten by 23 points to end their season as only the second team in VFL/AFL history to win three flags in a row and then not even make the next grand final. The reaction to this in 2017 would be a drop to twelfth. In 2018 the club made the top four again finishing fourth, but another straight sets exit followed - beaten by Richmond and then Melbourne. In 2019 the Hawks finished ninth.
== 2020 ==
Hawthorn started the 2020 season with a win over Brisbane in front of no fans before the season was suspended until mid June. Upon the resumption two wins after a loss of return had the Hawks in the eight but that was followed by four straight losses and Hawthorn never regained touch with the finals. They only had one win after that until the final round when they defeated Gold Coast and finished in fifteenth spot - their worst season since 1995.
== 2021 ==
A one point win over Essendon in the opening round augered better for the Hawks, but then that was followed with four straight losses. Another narrow win followed over Adelaide but there were no more wins before the bye and Hawthorn were only a game off the bottom of the ladder. After the bye however the Hawks won two of the next three games before two losses and then a draw with soon to be premiers Melbourne. But they were still second bottom and a loss to Sydney had them only percentage clear of last spot. But Hawthorn then had a strong finish to the season winning three straight games before a final round draw with Richmond to finish fourteenth.
== 2022 ==
2022 was another forgettable season by the standards of the Hawks. While the two opening wins were promising it was followed by two losses before an upset win over Geelong. And then the rot set in with four straight losses after that. And a narrow win over Brisbane led to three more leading into the mid season bye, and the club was in fifteenth after said bye. Two more losses only made things worse, but then three wins followed although all three were over sides also not in finals contention. There was only one more win and three more losses and Hawthorn finished thirteenth.
== 2023 ==
The Summer before the 2023 season was clouded by allegations of racism within the club over the treatment of indigenous players, which extended into the 2023 season. After nine rounds, the Hawks only had one win and were on the bottom of the ladder and staring at their first wooden spoon since 1965. But a massive 116 point hiding of West Coast got them out of there and follow up wins over St Kilda and Brisbane leading into the bye made things look better on the field. But they would remain rooted in sixteenth spot for the rest of the season despite three more wins including a boilover in round 21 over eventual premiers Collingwood.
== Reserves ==
Hawthorn were a part of the VFL Reserves competition from it's admission to the VFL in 1925. They managed to win four premierships - in 1958, 1959, 1972 and 1985. In 2000 the Hawks affiliated with Box Hill in the VFL, in what is arguably the most successful of the affiliations and the only one that has lasted the distance. During this time Box Hill won the flag in 2001, 2013 and 2018.
Category:Australian FL clubs