AND then there was one.
That's the situation the competition finds itself after nine rounds, with Hawthorn now the only team undefeated after Geelong and the Western Bulldogs suffered their first losses of the 2008 premiership season on the weekend.
It's a super achievement from the Hawks, and one that sets their season up significantly.
Still, even nine consecutive wins has not swayed the focus of Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson, who remains hell-bent on securing the club's 10th premiership.
Asked if he was able to reflect on his side's achievements, during his post-match media conference after his side's win over Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday, Clarkson said there was "not really" any time to.
"You just move onto the next week; it's just that brutal, this competition," Clarkson added.
Still, it is worth noting to the coach that this milestone - if history is anything to go by - only points to one thing: a Grand Final.
The reason? In the past five times Hawthorn has won nine consecutive matches or more, it has either won the premiership or played off in the Grand Final.
In fact, its greatest winning streak - 12 wins from round nine to the Grand Final in 1961 - resulted in the club's first premiership.
And while history might seem to be a romantic view in Hawthorn's quest for its first premiership since 1991, the club's off-field football ability to plan for success has been methodical. And quite brilliant.
Hawthorn's new era began when club legend Jason Dunstall oversaw the appointment of Clarkson at the end of the 2004 season.
Since there, Clarkson and his assembled assistant coaching panel (Damien Hardwick, Todd Viney, David Rath and Ross Smith, and more recently Geoff Morris, Chris Fagan and Barry Mitchell) along with football manager Mark Evans have flourished.
List manager Chris Pelchen returned to Hawthorn after his success with Port Adelaide, and together with key recruiters Gary Buckenara and Graham Wright, they have been integral to the cause (former recruiter manager John Turnbull's legacy also remains).
And although these names have been well-documented in the club's rise, there is one person who should not be overlooked: head fitness coach Andrew Russell.
In fact, it could be argued, particularly in today's football, that Russell is as critical as any member in Hawthorn's rise.
Russell has been pivotal in transforming the young Hawthorn group into a super-fit outfit, and it is understood the brown and gold's playing group has plenty of physical capacity left in it.
In terms of specifics, Russell's ability to reignite Stuart Dew's career has been outstanding, considering the 2004 premiership player's body shape was a long way from AFL standard after a season out of the game.
And if you want any further proof, consider Russell's track record.
He has been involved in two premierships - Essendon (2000) and Port Adelaide (2004) - after his involvement with the Bombers (1998-2000) and Power (2001-04). Not surprisingly, Clarkson brought Russell across with him when he joined the Hawks.
Now one of the longest serving fitness gurus in the league - along with the likes of David Buttifant (Collingwood), John Quinn (Essendon) and Bohdan Babijczuk (formerly with Hawthorn and now with Melbourne) - Russell has an AFL winning record of 72 per cent.
That's a stunning percentage any coach would cry out for.
Hawthorn might have history on its side in regards to premierships and consecutive winning streaks, but having the addition of Russell in its ranks might make it a reality.
Hawthorn's greatest consecutive winning streaks
12 wins - Round 9 1961-Grand Final 1961 = Premiership
11 wins - Round 7 1971-Round 17 1971 = Premiership
11 wins - Round 7 1975-Round 17 1975 = Runner-up
10 wins - Round 21 1983-Round 5 1984 = Premiership (1983)/Runner-up (1984)
9 wins - Round 2 1989-Round 10 1989 = Premiership
9 wins - Round 1 2008- ?
