Hawthorn has won its last five matches against the Brisbane Lions.

The Hawks defeated the Lions by 28 points at the MCG in 2020, followed by University of Tasmania Stadium wins by 12 points (2021) and five points (2022). In the last two seasons, Hawthorn was victorious at the MCG by 25 points in 2023 and by the same margin last season at Docklands.

A common factor in the 2020 and 2021 games was outstanding performances by Chad Wingard, gaining three Brownlow votes in the 2020 game and two votes in 2021. Jai Newcombe received 10 coaches' votes against the Lions in 2022 and three Brownlow votes in 2023. Last season, James Worpel secured the prized combination of 10 coaches' votes and three Brownlow votes.

Brisbane has not beaten Hawthorn at the MCG since 2004, although this will only be the sixth time the teams have met at the venue since then. The intervening five games saw Hawthorn victories at the MCG in 2005, 2007, 2012, 2020 and 2023.

Overall, Hawthorn and Brisbane have played 55 times, with the Hawks winning 35 and losing 20. Hawthorn won eight consecutive games against the Lions from 2010 to 2017, then lost four games in 2018-19, before winning the most recent five games.

For just the third time in the club’s 100-year VFL-AFL history, there are two Hawthorn players with current consecutive games sequences of 80 or above. Dylan Moore played his 80^th consecutive game against Gold Coast, joining Blake Hardwick, who currently has a consecutive sequence of 85 games.

The two previous instances both involved Andy Collins, firstly in conjunction with Chris Langford in 1993-94, and then later in 1994 with Ben Allan. Collins’ sequence extended until 1996, setting a club record of 189 consecutive games, whereas Langford’s run ended at 89 games in early 1994 and Allan’s at 92 games at the end of the same season.

JOIN THE HAWKS IN 2025! CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR POPULAR MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS

Conor Nash’s return from suspension will see him play his 100^th game in the number 11 guernsey, having begun his career with five games wearing number 45 in 2018.

Nash will be the fourth player to reach 100 games in number 11, with the other three having played their entire Hawthorn careers in the number. Joel Smith holds the record with 163 games (1999-2007), followed by Gary Buckenara with 154 games (1982-90) and Darren Jarman who played 109 games (1991-95).

Two other number 11s, Clinton Young and Brendan Whitecross, played over 100 Hawthorn games in total, but fewer than 100 were in number 11. Young, like Nash, moved from number 45, while Whitecross moved from number 37.

The number 11 has featured in eight of Hawthorn’s 13 Premierships, being worn by Buckenara in four, and in single ones by Malcolm Hill (1961), Brian Douge (1976), Jarman (1991) and Young (2008).

A reminder leading into this week’s home game against the Brisbane Lions that Hawthorn is currently on its third-longest streak of home wins in the club’s history. Beginning with the victory against St Kilda at University of Tasmania Stadium in Round 9 last season, the Hawks have won 12 consecutive home games (5 MCG, 5 Launceston and 2 Docklands) behind only 15 (2013-15) and the club record of 21 (1987-89).

Brisbane Lions is one of three clubs which Hawthorn has not played in a final, the others being more recent entrants to the competition in Gold Coast and GWS. Hawthorn and Brisbane have been in the same finals series on just four occasions (1996, 2000, 2001 and 2024).

There were a remarkable 12 games against Brisbane Lions played in Launceston in the 15 seasons from 2008 to 2022, meaning this Saturday will make it 17 of the last 21 meetings between the clubs which have been Hawthorn home games.

The attendance of 12,314 last Thursday night was the fourth-highest ever for an AFL game in Darwin, and the biggest there for 19 years. This Saturday provides an opportunity for Hawthorn to set another attendance record as the biggest crowd for any game between Hawthorn and Brisbane is 39,007, recorded at the MCG in Round 19 2007.

Round 11 has historically been one of Hawthorn’s less successful rounds, with 40 wins, two draws and 56 defeats from 98 games (with byes in 2013 and 2015). Hawthorn has won its past two Round 11 games, both at Docklands, in 2023, coming from behind to defeat St Kilda by 10 points and last season downing the Brisbane Lions by 25 points.

30 years ago, in Round 11 1995, Hawthorn recorded a comfortable 42-point victory against Sydney at Waverley – 17.11.113 to 9.17.71. The highlight of the game was Shayne Stevenson kicking a goal while hobbling on one leg. He had a good excuse for hobbling as the leg was subsequently confirmed as being broken. Tim Hargreaves kicked three goals and Darren Jarman had 28 disposals.

40 years ago, in Round 11 1985, John Kennedy coached against Hawthorn for the first time, with his North Melbourne team playing out a draw against Hawthorn in front of 39,084 at the MCG, the teams kicking 17.11.113 apiece. Terry Wallace with 32 disposals and a goal and Michael Tuck with 26 disposals and two goals were among the Hawks’ best.

50 years ago, in Round 11 1975, a Windy Hill crowd of 23,244 saw the Hawks thrash the home team by 56 points – 21.20.146 to 13.12.90 – after trailing Essendon by three points at half-time. There were several multiple goalkickers headed by John Hendrie (6), Leigh Matthews (4), Michael Moncrieff (4) and Barry Rowlings (3). Hendrie was rated best-on-ground, with the two Kelvins, Matthews and Moore, also prominent in the best.

Jason Dunstall holds the club individual goal-kicking record against Brisbane, with 11 goals in the first-ever match between the two clubs at Carrara in 1987. Peter Hudson holds the Hawthorn Round 11 record with 13 goals against South Melbourne at Glenferrie in 1969.