As the countdown continues to North Melbourne's clash with Hawthorn at the MCG, NMFC.com.au presents some interesting stats and facts relating to the two clubs.
- North Melbourne's highest score against Hawthorn came at the MCG.
The Kangaroos kicked 25.23.173 in Round 3, 1994. Making the game even more significant was the fact it broke a run of 14 straight losses against the Hawks. It still stands as North's biggest winning margin against Hawthorn.
Wayne Carey kicked seven goals, while John Longmire and Adrian McAdam added five each in the match.
- The highest individual goal-kicking performance from a Kangaroo against Hawthorn came almost 70 years ago.
That honour goes to Syd Dyer. His nine goals in Round 6, 1944 propelled North to a 29-point win.
Amazingly, the Kangaroos kicked 18 goals to two in the second and third quarters to turn a 35-point deficit into a 60-point lead.
- The all-time record between the two clubs at the MCG is split at 14 wins a piece, with one draw.
North has won the last six clashes at the home of football, dating back to Round 21, 2002.
- It is the first meeting at the MCG between the Kangaroos and Hawks since Round 13, 2008.
On that day North defeated the eventual premiers by 27-points, in what was a rematch of the 2007 semi final.
Since that game, the two sides have met at Aurora Stadium four times and Etihad Stadium once.
- North Melbourne's first ever VFL/AFL draw came against Hawthorn in Round 13, 1926.
- North has faced Hawthorn more than any other side in finals.
The teams have met in September on 15 occasions; almost a quarter of the total number of finals’ appearances for the Kangaroos (68). Currently North has a three-game winning streak in finals against the Hawks.
- Ben Cunnington's 10 tackles against Hawthorn in Round 10, 2012 was just one short of his career-high.
The midfielder has had three games with 10 or more tackles so far in his 58-game career.
- Lance Franklin averages four goals per game in his 11 career meetings against North Melbourne.
- North hasn't played a home game against Hawthorn since Round 3, 2009.
This will change later in the season when the two teams meet at Etihad Stadium in Round 22.
- Alastair Clarkson, current Hawthorn senior coach, played 93 games for North between 1987 and 1995.
David Hale and Josh Gibson are both former Roos as well, giving the Hawks a strong North flavour.
Current North Melbourne chief of football Donald McDonald also coached Hawthorn for five games in 2004 after Peter Schwab departed the role.
Written with assistance from Ange Cristoforo
