Amazing pics: Photographer Michael Willson scores an all-areas pass to the Hawks' Grand Final week
PHOTO ESSAY: We score an all-areas pass to Hawks' GF week
By Michael Willson with Travis King
[<a href="//storify.com/AFL_official/738533082156bb2dc4fd2ca934243b09" target="_blank">View the story "Photo essay: Behind the scenes with the Hawks in the week they won the three-peat" on Storify</a>]<h1>Photo essay: Behind the scenes with the Hawks in the week they won the three-peat</h1><h2></h2><p>Storified by <a href="https://storify.com/AFL_official">AFL</a>· Tue, Oct 06 2015 06:40:43 </p><div>During Grand Final week, award-winning AFL Media photographer Michael Willson was once again granted exclusive access into the Hawks' inner sanctum. With no area off limits, his remarkable candid photos capture the players, coaches and staff as they prepared to win the first premiership three-peat in the club’s history.<b> (All photos: Michael Willson - Hawthorn FC / AFL Media)</b></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>Perth Airport - Friday September 25, 2015 - 10:49pm</b>: Cyril Rioli and Billy Hartung wait for their flight after defeating the Fremantle Dockers. <i>(01/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>10:51pm:</b> Luke Hodge makes a phone call before departure. <i>(02/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>Ricoh Centre, Melbourne - Monday September 28, 2015 - 11:03am:</b> Players share a discussion in the weekly leaders' meeting. <i>(03/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>11:05am:</b> Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan and the leaders plot the week ahead. <i>(04/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>11:28am:</b> In preparation for Saturday's Grand Final, Property Steward Kenny Freiberg sorts the players jumpers. <i>(05/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>1:45pm:</b> Cyril Rioli and Brian Lake's daughter Miley shape up in an impromptu boxing session before training. <i>(06/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>1:49pm:</b> Josh Gibson and Brian Lake's son Cohen share a lighter moment. <i>(07/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>1: 57pm:</b> All eyes were on Jack Gunston’s fitness battle after he missed two finals with an ankle injury. The star forward ramped up his training by running on the anti-gravity treadmill. <i>(08/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>2:02pm:</b> Alastair Clarkson and head of fitness Andrew Russell discuss Jack Gunston’s recovery from his ankle injury. <i>(09/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>2:28pm:</b> Alastair Clarkson and his players hit the track for the first time in the lead-up to the Grand Final. <i>(10/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>Ricoh Centre, Melbourne - Tuesday September 29, 2015 - 11:05am: </b>A pensive Jack Gunston looks on before training. <i>(11/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>11:07am:</b> Ben Stratton and Bradley Hill cheer on teammates during a game of basketball before training. <i>(12/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>11:08am:</b> Six weeks after the tragic death of his son, Brett Ratten participates in a basketball match against players. <i>(13/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>12:25pm:</b> Alastair Clarkson flicks through Tuesday’s newspaper. <i>(14/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>12:32pm:</b> After a cancer scare earlier in the year, Jarryd Roughead looks out over Waverley Park ahead of his 5th Grand Final. <i>(15/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>12:43pm:</b> Ben Stratton drinks a cup of instant coffee before his weights session. <i>(16/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>12:47pm:</b> As debate raged about his position in the team, Ryan Schoenmakers stayed focused on his weekly routine. <i>(17/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>1:42pm:</b> After a long season, Luke Hodge prepares for the last match of 2015. <i>(18/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>Richmond, Melbourne - Wednesday September 30, 2015 - 4:13pm: </b>Isaac Smith, Taylor Duryea, James Frawley and Matthew Suckling enjoy their day off, taking their dogs out to a Richmond park. <i>(19/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>4:19pm:</b> James Frawley laughs as his dog Frankie investigates the camera. <i>(20/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>Ricoh Centre, Melbourne - Thursday October 01, 2015 - 5:55am: </b>The sun rises over the Sir Kenneth Luke Stand the morning of the team's open training session. <i>(21/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>8:09am: </b>Alastair Clarkson in deep discussion during the match committee meeting. <i>(22/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>8:10am: </b>Alastair Clarkson and football manager Chris Fagan seek the advice of head of fitness Andrew Russell during the match committee meeting. <i>(23/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>8:40am:</b> Sam Mitchell analyses the West Coast Eagles’ centre bounce setup. <i>(24/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>9:10am:</b> Cyril Rioli and Shaun Burgoyne arrive before open training as Sam Mitchell sorts Grand Final tickets. <i>(25/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>11:11am</b> Veteran defender Brian Lake offers some advice (and a toasted sandwich) to Grand Final debutant James Frawley. <i>(26/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>11:15am:</b> Alastair Clarkson takes control of the team meeting before the open training session. <i>(27/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>11:16am:</b> Alastair Clarkson addresses the players during the team meeting. <i>(28/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>12:48pm:</b> James Frawley marks as a huge crowd watches on at the team's open training session. <i>(29/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>1:27pm:</b> Alastair Clarkson seeks out Luke Hodge for a chat before the final match committee meeting. <i>(30/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>2:38pm:</b> Matt Suckling, Jack Gunston, Matt Spangher, Ryan Schoenmakers and Isaac Smith relax in the spa after training. <i>(31/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>Old Treasury Building, Melbourne - Friday October 02, 2015 - 11:23am: </b>Sam Mitchell applies some sunscreen to his son Smith's face before the Grand Final Parade. <i>(32/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>11:30am:</b> Billy Hartung sits in quiet contemplation as his teammates wait for the Grand Final Parade to begin. (<i>33/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>MCG, Melbourne - Saturday October 03, 2015 - 12:34pm: </b>James Frawley has a moment to himself in the rooms prior to the Grand Final. <i>(34/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>12:41pm:</b> Ben Stratton listens to music in the rooms prior to the warm-up. <i>(35/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>2:28pm:</b> Luke Hodge wins the coin toss moments before the Grand Final begins. <i>(36/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>2:33pm:</b> Norm Smith medallist Cyril Rioli celebrates after kicking the team’s first goal. <i>(37/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>4:20pm:</b> Jack Gunston left no doubts about his fitness by kicking four goals. <i>(38/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>5:06pm:</b> Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis celebrate as the final siren sounds to signal the club’s first three-peat. <i>(39/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>5:13pm:</b> Jordan Lewis holds 6 day old son Freddie during the medal presentation. <i>(40/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>5:16pm:</b> Luke Hodge holds the notes to his speech before taking to the podium. <i>(41/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>5:17pm:</b> Sam Mitchell receives a kiss from daughter Scarlett during the lap of honour. <i>(42/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>6:06pm:</b> Jordan Lewis unwinds in the rooms after winning his 4th premiership. <i>(43/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>6:14pm: </b>Luke Hodge with the 2013, 2014 and 2015 premiership cups. <i>(44/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>6:37pm:</b> An exhausted Sam Mitchell waits for the team meeting to begin. (<i>45/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>6:50pm:</b> An ecstatic Alastair Clarkson celebrates with jubilant players and support staff in the team meeting. <i>(46/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>7:04pm:</b> After the hottest Grand Final on record, Taylor Duryea soaks in a bath. <i>(47/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>7:05pm:</b> Isaac Smith checks his messages after starring against the Eagles. <i>(48/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>7:55pm:</b> Alastair Clarkson chats with his lieutenants Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell after they were presented to the adoring Hawks fans at the MCG. <i>(49/50)</i></div><div>AFL</div><div><b>8:13pm:</b> Job done - Alastair Clarkson and his leaders with the holy grail. <i>(50/50)</i></div><div>Follow Michael Willson on Instagram and Twitter: @michaelcwillson</div>
