The last time football fans saw such a match was unbelievably almost nine years ago, in 1999.
AFL football had been played at Waverly Park for the final time, where more than 72,000 people turned out to witness the Hawks down Sydney by 85 points.
Essendon had dominated the season, only to be pipped by Carlton in the season’s penultimate game.
And the Kangaroos confirmed their dominance of the decade by comfortably winning their second premiership in four years.
Hawthorn has experienced a full circle of fortunes in the time since, with a number of lean years tempered by a narrow Preliminary Final loss in 2001.
Now they sit second on the AFL ladder, undefeated and 0.4 of a percentage behind leaders Geelong.
And in due recognition of their form this year, there could be up to six Hawks pulling on jumpers and boots this Saturday night at the MCG:
| 2007 All-Australian half back flanker Campbell Brown has averaged over 15 disposals so far this year in six games, and has the chance to line up on one of the Dream Team’s smaller forwards, including Brett Burton, Leon Davis and Daniel Motlop. |  |
 | Trent Croad will also have an opportunity in defence for the Vics, with opposing key forwards including Cameron Mooney, Brendan Fevola and Matthew Richardson. Croad has missed three games for the Hawks this year, and is working up to the peak form he showed in 2005 and 2006. |
| 2008 Hawthorn Captain Sam Mitchell has averaged an astonishing 29 disposals so far this year, continuing the stellar form that saw him finish 3rd in the 2007 Brownlow Medal. Mitchell is one of the game’s premier on-ballers, and will most likely be tagged by a player like Kane Cornes or Brett Kirk. |  |
 | Jarryd Roughead has established himself in the Hawthorn side this year, providing solid support as the side’s second key forward, and kicking 11 goals in the past two games against Richmond and Collingwood. He has the chance to line up in the forward line for Victoria, perhaps depending on whether Jonathon Brown will play. |
| The Victorian side will be relying heavily on Brad Sewell as one of the game’s best stoppers. The 2007 Peter Crimmins Medallist has averaged nearly 24 touches this year, playing every game. Possible match-ups could include ball winners Daniel Kerr, Peter Burgoyne and Joel Corey. |  |
 | Superstar Lance Franklin will be the only Hawk lining up for the Dream Team, and could possibly find himself opposed to team-mates Campbell Brown or Trent Croad. The 21-year-old is currently leading the race for the 2008 Coleman Medal, having averaged more than five goals in his seven games. Matthew Scarlett looms large as Franklin’s opponent in the goal square, but Jarrad Waite could surprise. |
The match starts at 7:40pm, and will pit the game’s biggest stars against each other in the weekend’s feature match. Watch for the Hawks to make their mark on the MCG’s hallowed turf, as they unleash their talons on the footballing world.
