We at Talking Hawks want to give Hawthorn fans an experience. Subscribe to Talking Hawks for exclusive fan experiences and get involved in livestreams with Hawthorn players.
With the Tigers coming up this weekend, it is time to get back into the archives and check out some of the greatest individual games against Richmond.
Leigh Matthews
Round 5, 1979
The 1979 Hawks were hungry for more success, after winning their second premiership in three seasons in 1978.
Coming off a massive 94-point win over South Melbourne the week prior, the Hawks were looking to continue the momentum against Richmond at the MCG.
The man they call “Lethal” delivered a truly lethal performance, single-handily destroying the yellow and black.
Matthews collected 29 disposals and six marks which are handy numbers in itself, but also kicked seven goals!
To round off a typical Lethal performance, he gave four free kicks away!
He is the GOAT for a reason!
Gary Buckenara
Round 2, 1987
The Hawks of 1987, like the 1979 group, were coming into the season fresh off premiership success.
They had a strong win against Carlton in Round 1 and wanted to stamp their authority against the lowly Tigers at the MCG.
With big guns all over the park in this golden era, it was a perhaps underrated Gary Buckenara who stole the show!
“Bucky” was never the number one option (thanks to Dunstall and Brereton) but dominated with 23 disposals and seven goals!
With one of the greater highlight reels, you will see and a legacy at Hawthorn beyond his playing career, Bucky is a much loved Hawthorn figure and was
Jason Dunstall
Round 7, 1992
For the third time straight, the 1992 Hawks were coming into the season off the back of a premiership (what a club!)
Despite this, Hawthorn were sitting outside of the finals picture as they entered this round seven clash, needing a statement game.
Enter Jason Dunstall!
In probably the most famous performance in Hawthorn history, the Chief kicked 17 goals, a club record and one shy of Fred Fanning’s AFL record.
He also took 18 marks, had 29 disposals and kicked five behinds (C’mon Jase)
What a shame that there is limited footage of this game on the internet!
Peter Everitt
Round 21, 2004
Despite the 2004 group not contending for premiership success, the man known as “Spida” helped us escape a trophy no team wants.
Going into round 21, the Hawks sat a game clear on the bottom of the ladder, with Richmond the only team able to drop below them
So, in a game dubbed, “the clash for the spoon”, Spida dominated having 20 disposals, kicking 3 important goals and having 42 hit-outs!
Hawthorn won the game by 23 points at the MCG and avoided the dreaded wooden spoon!
Despite being a Hawk in an unsuccessful timeframe, Spida was a fantastic servant of the club and someone who deserves more recognition.
Tom Mitchell
Round 3, 2018
After winning the opening two games of 2018, the new look Hawks faced the reigning premier Richmond at the MCG.
In what was an absolute battle, eventual Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell stood up in a big way!
“Titch” was his usual ball magnet self, amassing a huge 42 disposals and 11 clearances as well as hitting the scoreboard with a goal.
Despite not quite getting the chocolates, narrowly going down by 13 points, the Hawks showed plenty of potential and fight against the all-conquering Tigers.
Who’s Next?
Josh Ward
It’s hard not to really enjoy the way Josh Ward is finishing his rookie season!
When looking at Richmond, they give up big numbers to midfielders, with Ollie Wines (32), Trav Boak (27) and Willem Drew (25) three of the top four disposal gatherers last week.
Ward is averaging 25.5 disposals in his last month of footy and with the trend of Richmond giving up numbers to inside mids, watch Wardy rack them up!
