AFL Grand Final champions in 2013, 2014, and 2015, the Hawthorn Hawks have been by most estimations the premier footy franchise in the last decade. Historically, Hawthorn has a strong history of success throughout the decades as well - they have thirteen championships in their nine-decade history, especially from 1971 through the early 90's, in which time eight of their premierships occurred. The last three seasons, they suffered injury after injury, and yet found youngsters to step up and hold the fort. Immediately following their 2013 championship, their star forward Lance ("Buddy") Franklin jumped ship to one of their greatest rivals, where Sydney gave him an unprecedented nine-year, ten million dollar contract to take down his old club (and everyone else). Yet, despite making the Swans the heavy favorite in the 2014 Grand Final against the Hawks, and despite the fact that Franklin lived up to his superstar status and played an amazing game, Hawthorn annihilated the Swans, jumping out to a nine-goal lead by halftime and never looking back, winning by over ten goals (137-74). Winners again in 2015, they finally met their end as titlists with a loss to their usurpers, the Western Bulldogs, in the semi-finals this season. Still, they finished third in 2016, tying for the best record with 17 wins, and have to be counted again among the favorites in 2017. No matter what happens, the Hawthorn "system" seems to hold them above water.
Their American counterpart: the San Antonio Spurs
The Miami Heat were designed to win the title: LeBron James, Chris Bosh, what's left of Dwayne Wade... and yet the Spurs system overcame the transcendent player James in 2014. Games 3 and 4 of the NBA Finals that June were a two-game example of team basketball play at its very finest: against the best player in the world (LeBron), their team passing, scoring, and defense completely overwhelmed the favored Heat and easily won them the title. Similarly, in the AFL Grand Final each September (against Fremantle, Sydney, and West Coast, respectively), Hawthorn presented a full-game example of team Aussie Rules play at its very finest: against the best player...well, the best scorer in the world (Franklin) in 2014, their team passing, scoring, and defense completely overwhelmed the favored Swans and easily won them the title. Franklin marked and scored at will...when he got the ball in the forward portion of the field; unfortunately, the Hawks never let the ball get to the Swans' forward 50. In the second quarter, they went a twenty-minute period without having the ball in their front 50. Unimaginable for a championship level team.
Hawthorn and San Antonio share the characteristics that make them each not only champions now, but champion-caliber for the foreseeable future: lack of individual ego, great coaching (Alastair Clarkson and Gregg Popovich are each universally considered the best coach in their sport), great front office, and a system that puts the team above the individual egos. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker are just like Sam Mitchell and Luke Hodge - the leaders work harder than everyone else, setting the example for the team by not placing themselves above the rest of the team. In 2017, each team must prove it's more than just the player: At the same time the Spurs started its first season in the 21st century without Tim Duncan, the Hawks traded away its aging star, Sam Mitchell.
Anyone doubt either team's ability to survive?
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