Would it surprise you to know that Hawthorn holds the record for the most behinds ever recorded by a team in a single game?

Potentially not.

What if we told you that that record number is 41 behinds? 

41!

You’d have to go back to Round 18 2012, all of 178 games ago, to find the last time the Hawks even had that many scoring shots!

This infamously inaccurate game was Round 6 1977.

The fourth-placed Hawks were hosting the 10^th-placed St Kilda at Princes Park, the club’s home ground from 1974 until 1991.

The reigning premiers, Hawthorn had overcome a lacklustre opening fortnight of the season to find its groove in the three weeks following with three consecutive wins.

Leigh Matthews was at the peak of his powers, having won four of the past six club best and fairest awards.

The Hawks burst out of the blocks in the opening term against the Saints, putting the result virtually beyond doubt by the first change.

But there were already the hallmarks of a game that would be remembered in history for some not so good reasons.

The Hawks led the Saints 5.11 to 2.0.

David Parkin’s side’s inaccuracy fell further in the second quarter, converting on just five of its 18 shots at goal.

Half-time scores 10.24 84 to 10.3 63.

The game was somehow still quite close considering the Hawks had had nearly triple the attempts at goal.

The second half followed a similar tale, with a slight improvement from the Hawthorn side which finished 88-point victors.

The margin was a case of what could have been though with final scores reading 25.41 191 to 16.7 103.

Where inclement weather conditions might typically be available to blame such waywardness on, it is difficult to mount that case when the Saints seemed to have relatively minor trouble in front of goal.

The key culprits in the Hawks historic outing were the Matthews brothers, Kelvin (4.6) and Leigh (4.5), while others included Peter Hudson (7.4), John Hendrie (3.4) and Bernie Jones (1.4).

In contrast to the Hawks opponents St Kilda kicked an accurate 16.7.103 (including 6.1 from George Young), so despite having 43 more scoring shot Hawthorn ‘only’ won by 88 points.

It is understandable that some people are experiencing feelings of anxiety, uncertainty and concern associated with the current COVID-19 situation. For mental health and wellbeing information, visit Beyond Blue.