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As Hawks fans, we have been treated to some of the greatest teams and players the AFL has ever seen, and it is an absolute blessing. 

So why not go down memory lane?

Cashed in is our new weekly piece, going back through the archives and finding some of the great performances produced by stars of this club.

I’ll be choosing a standout game from every decade from the 70’s until now, allowing nostalgia trips for our older readers and perhaps education for the younger audience.

So, without further ado, let’s have a look at some of the great games against the Saints!

Peter Hudson

Round 15, 1971

In a preview to the 1971 Grand Final, the first placed Hawks took on a Saints team garnering momentum at Glenferrie Oval.

Something tells me this won’t be the last time we feature the great Peter Hudson, but this needs to be read to be believed.

Peter Hudson shows the Premiership Cup to the crowd during the round two AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the West Coast Eagles at the...
Peter Hudson holds the goal-kicking average record in the VFL/AFL and is a true Hawthorn legend | Getty Images

The great Full Forward kicked a perfect TWELVE GOALS STRAIGHT from 12 marks, in what can only be described as a flawless performance.

It was an overall accurate day for the brown and gold, kicking 20.5 on the day to win by 23 points and would go on this season to beat the Saints in one of the most famous Grand Finals in the clubs history.

Jason Dunstall, 

Round 22, 1989 

The top of the table Hawks took on a struggling Saints team crawling to the finish line at Waverley Park.

The ladder standings proved to be correct, with the Hawks winning by 90 points and kicking 28 goals on the day, but the Chief stole the show.

It’s an easy way to get the chocolates in the last eligible game of the 80’s, with a ridiculous stat line of 26 disposals, 13 marks and 11 goals! 

The Hawks had a day out in this game, with John Platten contending for the prize in the very same game, registering 43 disposals and kicking three goals of his own. 

Paul Hudson

Round 12, 1993 

Hawthorn sat 2nd in this clash, holding onto the last pieces of the 80’s dynasty.

They faced a struggling Saints side at Waverley Park, and what many thought would be a Lockett vs Dunstall shootout, a famous name dominated.

In the footsteps of his great father, Paul Hudson kept the family tradition of dominating the Saints, having 30 disposals and kicking seven majors!

I think Huddo may have had the umpires to thank for a few, receiving a lazy seven free kicks from the men in white!

It is so awesome that in the first instalment we get a father son combination!

Mark Williams 

Preliminary Final, 2008 

In a season adored by Hawthorn fans, an unsung hero helped us to our first Grand Final appearance since 1991.

The Saints had beaten the Hawks in their only encounter during the 2008 season by 30 points at Etihad Stadium, after the Hawks lead by 37 points in the third quarter. 

With centurion Buddy Franklin sore early with a thumb injury, the Hawks needed a different avenue to goal, and the man with the best celebration in Hawthorn history stood up.

Williams kicked 5.4, taking the game away from the Saints in the first half and unlike the aforementioned Etihad clash, the Hawks didn’t let the Saints back in it. 

Williams combination of speed and strong hands had the Saints stumped and helped finish the fairy-tale!

Mark Williams for the Hawks celebrates a goal during the AFL Round 8 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Melbourne Demons at the MCG May 14,...
Mark Williams led the Hawks’ forward in a pre-Buddy and Rough era and got his due flag in 2008 | Getty Images

Luke Breust

Round 7, 2014 

The 2014 Hawks were hungry for back-to-back flags, winning 5 of their first 6 games by an average of 55 points.

The Saints were aging and dealing with injuries, which meant easy pray for the all-conquering Hawks, with Punky cashing in!

The man I wrote about in last week’s piece (shameless plug) gets a mention again and for very good reason!

In a 145-demolition job, Punky had his career high in disposals with 29 playing up the ground, but also kicked four goals straight!

Add onto this six tackles and it an unbelievably rounded performance!

Who’s next?

Mitch Lewis 

With the current day Saints struggling with tall defender stocks and Mitch Lewis is coming off a quiet game in Tasmania against North, I think he could take this game by the scruff of the neck.

He kicked 3.5 against them in a loss earlier this season, I am looking for the big fella to surpass that career high of five goals in a game and lead us to victory!

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