A Brief History of the Rivalry

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 9 views

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Introduction

The Hawthorn Football Club and the Sydney Swans are two of the most storied teams in the Australian Football League (AFL). With a rich history of success and a fierce rivalry, these two teams have been locked in a battle for supremacy for decades. In this article, we will delve into the history of the Hawthorn vs Sydney rivalry, analyze their recent performances, and examine the key factors that contribute to their success.

A Brief History of the Rivalry

The Hawthorn Football Club was founded in 1914, while the Sydney Swans were established in 1874 as the South Melbourne Football Club. The two teams first met in 1915, and their rivalry has been one of the most intense in the AFL ever since. Over the years, both teams have experienced periods of dominance, with Hawthorn winning four premierships between 1961 and 2013, and Sydney winning two premierships in 2005 and 2012.

Recent Performances

In recent years, both teams have experienced periods of success and decline. Hawthorn has struggled to replicate its premiership-winning form, finishing as low as 12th in 2017. However, under the guidance of coach Sam Mitchell, the team has shown signs of improvement, finishing 5th in 2020. Sydney, on the other hand, has been a consistent top-four team, finishing as high as 2nd in 2017.

Key Factors Contributing to Success

So, what sets these two teams apart from the rest? Here are some key factors that contribute to their success:

Hawthorn's Strengths

Experience: Hawthorn has a wealth of experience, with players like Jack Gunston, Luke Breust, and James Sicily having played over 150 games for the club.
Depth: The team has a strong squad, with a number of talented players vying for positions in the starting 22.
Coaching: Coach Sam Mitchell has been instrumental in the team's recent improvement, bringing a new level of intensity and competitiveness to the club.

Sydney's Strengths

Speed: Sydney is known for its speed and agility, with players like Tom Papley and Isaac Heeney able to cover vast amounts of ground.
Talent: The team has a number of talented players, including Luke Parker, Josh Kennedy, and Callum Mills.
Coaching: Coach John Longmire has been a key factor in the team's success, bringing a new level of strategy and tactics to the club.

Head-to-Head Record

The head-to-head record between Hawthorn and Sydney is a closely contested one. As of the end of the 2022 season, Hawthorn leads the head-to-head record 104-94. However, Sydney has been improving in recent years, and the rivalry is expected to continue to be one of the most intense in the AFL.

Recent Meetings

The two teams have met on several occasions in recent years, with Hawthorn winning the most recent encounter in 2022. However, Sydney has been improving in recent meetings, and the rivalry is expected to continue to be one of the most intense in the AFL.

Conclusion

The Hawthorn vs Sydney rivalry is one of the most intense and closely contested in the AFL. With a rich history of success and a number of talented players, both teams are expected to continue to be major contenders in the years to come. As the rivalry continues to grow, fans can expect to see some of the most exciting and competitive football in the league.

Final Thoughts

As the AFL continues to grow and evolve, the Hawthorn vs Sydney rivalry is expected to remain one of the most intense and closely contested in the league. With a number of talented players and a rich history of success, both teams are expected to continue to be major contenders in the years to come. As fans, we can expect to see some of the most exciting and competitive football in the league, and the rivalry is sure to continue to be one of the most talked-about in the AFL.

References

AFL.com.au. (2022). Hawthorn vs Sydney: Head-to-Head Record.
Hawthorn Football Club. (2022). History of the Club.
Sydney Swans. (2022). History of the Club.
ESPN. (2022). AFL: Hawthorn vs Sydney.
The Age. (2022). AFL: Hawthorn vs Sydney.

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Introduction

The Hawthorn Football Club and the Sydney Swans are two of the most storied teams in the Australian Football League (AFL). With a rich history of success and a fierce rivalry, these two teams have been locked in a battle for supremacy for decades. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the Hawthorn vs Sydney rivalry.

Q&A

Q: What is the history of the Hawthorn vs Sydney rivalry?

A: The Hawthorn Football Club was founded in 1914, while the Sydney Swans were established in 1874 as the South Melbourne Football Club. The two teams first met in 1915, and their rivalry has been one of the most intense in the AFL ever since.

Q: Who has the better head-to-head record between Hawthorn and Sydney?

A: As of the end of the 2022 season, Hawthorn leads the head-to-head record 104-94. However, Sydney has been improving in recent years, and the rivalry is expected to continue to be one of the most intense in the AFL.

Q: What are the key factors contributing to Hawthorn's success?

A: Hawthorn's strengths include experience, depth, and coaching. The team has a wealth of experience, with players like Jack Gunston, Luke Breust, and James Sicily having played over 150 games for the club. The team also has a strong squad, with a number of talented players vying for positions in the starting 22. Coach Sam Mitchell has been instrumental in the team's recent improvement, bringing a new level of intensity and competitiveness to the club.

Q: What are the key factors contributing to Sydney's success?

A: Sydney's strengths include speed, talent, and coaching. The team is known for its speed and agility, with players like Tom Papley and Isaac Heeney able to cover vast amounts of ground. The team also has a number of talented players, including Luke Parker, Josh Kennedy, and Callum Mills. Coach John Longmire has been a key factor in the team's success, bringing a new level of strategy and tactics to the club.

Q: What are some of the most memorable games between Hawthorn and Sydney?

A: Some of the most memorable games between Hawthorn and Sydney include the 2013 AFL Grand Final, which Hawthorn won by 22 points, and the 2017 AFL Preliminary Final, which Sydney won by 15 points.

Q: What are some of the most notable players in the Hawthorn vs Sydney rivalry?

A: Some of the most notable players in the Hawthorn vs Sydney rivalry include Luke Hodge, who played for Hawthorn from 2001 to 2018, and Josh Kennedy, who played for Sydney from 2007 to 2019.

Q: What is the future of the Hawthorn vs Sydney rivalry?

A: The future of the Hawthorn vs Sydney rivalry is bright, with both teams expected to continue to be major contenders in the years to come. As the rivalry continues to grow, fans can expect to see some of the most exciting and competitive football in the league.

Conclusion

The Hawthorn vs Sydney rivalry is one of the most intense and closely contested in the AFL. With a rich history of success and a number of talented players, both teams are expected to continue to be major contenders in the years to come. As fans, we can expect to see some of the most exciting and competitive football in the league, and the rivalry is sure to continue to be one of the most talked-about in the AFL.

Final Thoughts

References

AFL.com.au. (2022). Hawthorn vs Sydney: Head-to-Head Record.
Hawthorn Football Club. (2022). History of the Club.
Sydney Swans. (2022). History of the Club.
ESPN. (2022). AFL: Hawthorn vs Sydney.
The Age. (2022). AFL: Hawthorn vs Sydney.