St Kilda coach Brett Ratten has hosed down comparisons between the current Melbourne side and the legendary Hawthorn team that won three straight premierships despite being soundly beaten by the 8-0 Demons.
Ratten, who was an assistant under Alastair Clarkson when the Hawks won flags in 2013, 2014 and 2015, was asked to compare the current reigning premiers to Clarkson’s Hawks, and suggested that Simon Goodwin’s side has a long way to go.
“They’re going well but there’s a lot of footy to be played to win three in a row. I don’t say that disrespectfully,” he said.
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“They’re playing great, but we need to put into perspective there’s a lot of footy to be played. We’re at round eight.
“If they can keep continuing, yeah, they’ll be right there, but that team (Hawthorn) was quite amazing through that period. But they (Melbourne) have the capabilities.”
Melbourne’s imperious form through the first eight rounds sees it as the only remaining unbeaten side in 2022. Add that to the seven straight games they won to end the 2021 season as premiers, and Goodwin’s men have recorded 15 consecutive victories.
The Demons’ incredible streak is now tied for the equal seventh-longest in VFL/AFL history, with the club within striking distance of its own record 19-game winning streak set in the 1955-56 seasons.
Melbourne is still eight wins short of VFL/AFL record of 23 straight wins set by Geelong in 1952-53.
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